[Growth and natural mortality of the fish Haemulon aurolineatum (Teleostei: Haemulidae) in the Southwest of Margarita Island, Venezuela].

We analyzed the growth and natural mortality of the cují (Haemulon aurolineatum) in the southwest of Margarita Island, from July 2005 through June 2006. A sample of 1,378 males and 1,143 females collected from Boca del Río artisanal fishing vessels was analyzed. The common relation for both sexes was expressed by the equation P=0.038*L(2.87). From the frequency data, a preliminary asymptotic length (L(infinity)) was estimated applying the routine of Powell and Wetherall, and the coefficient of growth (k) through ELEFAN I using program FISAT II (FAO-ICLARM). The modal progression analysis was used, previous decomposition of the frequency of lengths according to Bhattacharya, and it optimized the estimations of L(infinity) and k according to the procedure of Gulland and Holt. The curve of growth in length was fit to the model of von Bertalanffy, and described an exponential curve, where growth accelerated until the two years of age. The rate of natural mortality was high (M = 1.15 year(-1)), probably from high predation.