Population dynamics and stock assessment of stripped murrel Channa striata from river Sutlej, Punjab

Present study is conducted to assess population dynamics and stock assessment of C. striata first time from Sutlej River stretches in Punjab, India to evaluate its present status and outlining the future policies. Length frequency data of C. striata around 500 fish samples was collected at monthly intervals from selected three sites (November 2020 to October 2021) and analyzed using the FiSAT II (FAO-ICLARM). Asymptotic length (L&infin;), growth coefficient (K) and age at zero length (t₀) to be calculated as 63 cm, 0.77 yr⁻¹ and 0.02 yr, respectively. The growth performance indices (Ø) and longevity (t_max) value was 3.488 and 3.92 yr. Total mortality (Z), fishing mortality (F) and natural mortality (M) were 2.51 1.27 and 1.24 yr⁻¹, respectively. The exploitation ratio was 0.51 and the exploitation rate (U) to be 0.39 yr indicating overexploited, condition. The E_cur < E_0.1 denotes there is little scope to increase further fishing efforts for this species to reach the target reference point (TRP). Existing fishing pressure should be reduced substantially for sustainable development of C. striata species in River Sutlej.