The objective of this study was to estimate natural, fishing and total mortality, survival and
exploitation rates of Clupeonella cultriventris in the southern Caspian Sea. Survival rate
and natural mortality were calculated using catch curve and Pauly methods, respectively.
Natural and fishing mortality have been estimated up to 0.671yr-1 and 0.849 yr-1,
respectively. According to catch curve method, the annual survival rate of common kilka
has been estimated up to 0.218 yr-1. With owning this survival rate, the instantaneous
coefficient of total mortality of common kilka has been estimated up to 1.52 yr-1. The
exploitation rate of common kilka has been estimated up to 0.55. It was revealed that
common kilka has been dominant in the catch because of habitat expansion and the
change in life depth. It was concluded that common kilka stock is under over-fishing now.
