Investigations on the Stocks of the Striped Venus (Chamelea gallina L., 1758) in Ordu`s Coastal Zone of the Eastern Black Sea

In this study population structure of striped venus (Chamelea gallina L., 1758) was investigated between Ak ay and Gülyal at the depth of 5-15 m in Ordu`s coastal zone of the Eastern Black Sea in December 2002 and June 2003. Totally 87 operations were conducted with a boat equipped with hydraulic dredge used for commercial clam fishing and sub samples were taken to collect data after each operation. Length-weight distributions and meat yield of 1332 individuals of C. gallina belonging to the stock at the site from Ak ay to Cape ünye were calculated. Mean meat yield was found to be 8.04 %. Total weight distributions were between 0.09 g and 5.7 g, while shell lengths were between 6.4 mm and 30 mm. Most of the clam shells were empty and only a few clams were live in all sites, except some parts of the site from Ak ay to Cape ünye. Present attitude was discussed according to the results.