Growth, recruitment, mortality, and exploitation of the hiant venus Marcia hiantina (formerly Katelysia
hiantina) (Mollusca, Pelecypoda: Veneridae) locally known as “punaw”, collected from June 2018 to May 2019
from catches of gleaners in Banate Bay, Iloilo were analyzed using the FiSAT software. Smallest and largest
sizes gathered during this period were 9.0 and 61.0 mm shell height (SH), respectively. Von Bertalanffy growth
parameters derived for the species using ELEFAN I are an asymptotic shell height (SH∞) of 66.63 mm and
growth coefficient(K) of 1.05 yr-1. These correspond to a growth performance index (ø’) of 3.67, comparable
with values for other bivalves. Based on the Bhattacharya analysis, a growth rate of 0.166 mm day-1 was
estimated and based on this, the species has a lifespan of approximately 1 year. Using ELEFAN II, a total
mortality, Z of 4.52 yr -1 was estimated from a length-converted catch curve. From an averaged M/K value from
the literature of (1.51) multiplied by this species’ own K, a value of natural mortality, M = 1.59 yr-1 was derived,
which then results to a fishing mortality (F) of 2.93 yr -1. Recruitment pattern was bimodal, supported closely
by the species’ reproductive biology which has 2 peaks of spawning observed in July and January. Given the
species’ overexploited status (E = 0.65), managing the stocks by prohibiting the collection of sizes less than the
minimum size at sexual maturity (27 mm) and closing the fishery at least during the peak spawning month (July)
is necessary and recommendable.