Abstract.This paper presents detailed statistics of pikeperch (Stizostedion lucioperca L.) catches in the Polish EEZ. A comparison is made with those from European waters (10 100-17 400 tons per annum), and the pikeperch unit price reported in European markets is compared with that of other fish species. The annual pikeperch catches in the Polish EEZ in 1993-2002 ranged from 274 to 438 tons, and 60-70% of them originated in the Szczecin and the Vistula lagoons. The value of parameter (K) in the Brody-Bertalanffy growth equation was determined as part of the study and served to estimate the natural mortality coefficient (M) for pikeperch (from 0.18 to 0.22). The productivity of the exploited pikeperch population in the Szczecin Lagoon was estimated using the model by Beverton and Holt [1957] and modified by Jones [1957]. The results of the analyses indicate that, at the current exploitation rate and at a consistent level of new generation recruitment, the pikeperch minimum length in the Szczecin Lagoon and the Pomeranian Bay (45.0 cm L.t.) is appropriate for the population efficiency.

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