Abstract
Four seasonal surveys were carried out in the Gulf of Tunis between summer 2002 and spring 2003 to study the abundance and distribution of Sardina pilchardus eggs and larvae in relation to environmental parameters. In the Gulf of Tunis, Sardina pilchardus begins spawning in autumn (23 eggs/10 m²) and attains its peak in winter (257 eggs/10 m²) when the mean SST is lowest (13.4°C). Sardine reproduction seems to be triggered by the decrease in the SST. In winter, the main spawning areas were located to the south of Zembra Island and the north of Cape Bon. Larvae were more abundant in winter (38 larvae/10 m²), while lower densities were collected in autumn and spring (1 larva/10 m²). The highest abundance of larvae (288 larvae/10 m²) was recorded southwest of Zembra Island. Eggs and larvae were mainly concentrated in the relatively warmer and saltier waters with high zooplankton abundance and, inversely, with a low concentration of nitrate and chlorophyll a and a low diatom abundance.
Highlights
Sardine (Sardina pilchardus) is the most abundant small pelagic species in Tunisian waters
In the Gulf of Tunis, Sardina pilchardus begins spawning in autumn (23 eggs/10 m2) and attains its peak in winter (257 eggs/10 m2) when the mean Sea surface temperature (SST) is lowest (13.4°C)
The main spawning areas were located to the south of Zembra Island and the north of Cape Bon
Summary
Sardine (Sardina pilchardus) is the most abundant small pelagic species in Tunisian waters. It represents 39.4% (13197 t) of the small pelagic production and 14.3% of the total Tunisian fleet landings (DGPA, 1999-2004). Small pelagic fisheries show high inter-annual fluctuations of abundance and distribution, which are related to environmental variables affecting early life stages and recruitment (Jacobson and Maccall, 1995; Borja et al, 1996; Allain et al, 2001; Brander and Mohn, 2004). To date no studies have focused on its early life stages
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