Growth patterns and mortality rates of the short-necked clam Paratapes undulatus (Born, 1778) in Ba Lua Archipelago, An Giang Province, South-western Sea of Viet Nam

Abstract

This study investigated the growth patterns, mortality rates, and exploitation rate of the short-necked clam Paratapes undulatus (Born, 1778) in Ba Lua Archipelago, An Giang Province, South-western Sea of Viet Nam, using biological data conducted between November 2022 to September 2023. A total of 1,140 individuals were randomly sampled from the clam dredge landings for biological analysis. The length–weight relationship revealed a negative allometric growth (b < 3), indicating that the shell length increased proportionally faster than the body weight. The estimated VBGF parameters were L∞ = 53.6 mm, K = 0.91 year⁻¹, t₀ = –0.149, tmax = 4.2 year and the growth performance index Φ′ = 3.417. The estimated mortality rates were Z = 3.80 year⁻¹, M = 1.47 year⁻¹, F = 2.34 year⁻¹. The exploitation rate (E = 0.61) indicates that the stock is currently fully exploited. These findings emphasize the need for management measures to ensure the sustainable exploitation of this commercially valuable species.