Variability in size at maturity of the European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) in the Mediterranean Sea

Type Article
Date 2021
Language English
Other localization https://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/hcmr-med-mar-sc/article/view/25995
Author(s) Ferreri Rosalia1, Genovese Simona1, Barra Marco2, Biagiotti Ilaria3, Bourdeix Jean-Herve4, de Felice Andrea3, Gasparevic Denis5, Hattab Tarek4, Iglesias Magdalena6, Juretic Tea5, Leonori Iole3, Malavolti Sara3, St Raykow Violin7, Saraux Claire4, 8, Ticina Vjekoslav5, Ventero Ana6, Basilone Gualtiero1
Affiliation(s) 1 : National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in marine environment, S.S. di Capo Granitola - Campobello di Mazara (TP), Italy
2 : National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Marine Science, S.S. di Napoli –Napoli, Italy
3 : CNR IRBIM, National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies, Largo Fiera della Pesca, 1 60125 Ancona, Italy
4 : MARBEC, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Avenue Jean Monnet, Sète, France
5 : Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries-Split Set. Ivana Meštrovica, 63, 21000 Split, Croatia
6 : Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares, Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
7 : Institute of Oceanology-Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 40 Parvi Mai str, 9000 Varna, Bulgaria
8 : IPHC, DEPE, CNRS-Université de Strasbourg, UMR7178, 23 rue du Loess, 67037 Strasbourg
Source Mediterranean Marine Science (1108-393X) (Natl Centre Marine Research), 2021 , Vol. 22 , N. 4 , P. 858-870
DOI 10.12681/mms.25995
WOS© Times Cited 3
Keyword(s) Macroscopic maturity stage, condition factor, geographical variability, Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea
Abstract

Size at first sexual maturity (L50) represents an important life-history trait that needs to be considered in the development of management measures as it provides fundamental information for avoiding the exploitation of younger individuals. L50 is known to display variability due to fishing pressure, geographical gradients, and environmental features. In this study, to investigate L50 variability among areas in the Mediterranean and Black Seas, maturity ogives of anchovies (Engraulis encrasicolus) were estimated by considering samples collected during the anchovy spawning period in the framework of the MEDiterranean International Acoustic Survey (MEDIAS) program. Anchovy size and sexual maturity data from several geographical subareas (GSAs), i.e., northern Spain, Gulf of Lion, Tyrrhenian Sea, Strait of Sicily, Adriatic Sea and Black Sea, were gathered according to a standard methodological protocol. Maturity ogives were estimated by a logistic regression considering total length, condition factor, sex and GSA. The obtained results showed a significant effect of the condition factor, in that fish in better condition reached maturity earlier, and the results also indicated differences in L50 values among the areas and between the sexes, with males reaching maturity at lower lengths than females. Even though the obtained L50 estimates are relative to the spawning period only, the variability observed at the Mediterranean basin scale highlights the importance of explicitly considering specific habitat characteristics when providing management advice based on an ecosystem approach for fisheries.

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Ferreri Rosalia, Genovese Simona, Barra Marco, Biagiotti Ilaria, Bourdeix Jean-Herve, de Felice Andrea, Gasparevic Denis, Hattab Tarek, Iglesias Magdalena, Juretic Tea, Leonori Iole, Malavolti Sara, St Raykow Violin, Saraux Claire, Ticina Vjekoslav, Ventero Ana, Basilone Gualtiero (2021). Variability in size at maturity of the European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) in the Mediterranean Sea. Mediterranean Marine Science, 22(4), 858-870. Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.25995 , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00745/85660/