POPULATION PARAMETERS OF Parapenaeopis sculptilis (DECAPODA: PENAEIDAE) IN THE COASTAL WATERS OF TERONG, PERAK, MALAYSIA  

The growth and mortality of the Parapenaeopis sculptilis (Heller, 1862), in coastal waters of Terong, Perak were estimated based on monthly length frequency data using the FiSAT software. The total lengths (TL) for males and females were 9.13(±0.83) and 11.96 (±2.2) cm. The von Bertalanffy growth (VBGF) parameters were estimated as asymptotic length (L∝) = 17.69 cm and growth coefficirent (K) = 2 yr^-1. The total mortality (Z), natural mortality (M) and fishing mortality (F) were found to be 6.71, 1.77 and 4.94 yr^-1 respectively. The exploitation (E) rate was calculated as E = 0.74 which is higher than optimum level of exploitation (E= 0.50). Based on the present data, it can be concluded that the status of the stock of P. sculptilis is over exploited the in the coastal waters of Terong, Perak, Peninsular Malaysia.

Key words:  growth parameters, Parapenaeopsis sculptilis, Malaysia