Abstract
Understanding drivers of fish maturity is essential to predict the productivity, stability, and resiliency of exploited populations. Size at maturity for European sardine (Sardina pilchardus) in the Central Mediterranean Sea has never been published within rigorous peer review process. In the past, stock assessment working groups in the Mediterranean requested such information; however, the size at which 50% of the fish population reaches the sexual maturity (L50) often received weak estimates based on a single or few years of observation, which do not necessarily reflect the whole stock. To address this data gap for the Central Mediterranean Sea, the present research estimated size at maturity of European sardine in the Strait of Sicily. In the study period (2009–2017), sampled individuals exhibited significant differences in size range as well as in body condition and reproductive effort. Data also permitted a clear identification of the spawning season, starting in September–October and ending in March–April the following year. Along the analyzed period, the size at first maturity ranged from 108 to 124 mm (total length) for females and from 102 to 122 mm for males. Significant differences were recorded among genders and years. Moreover, a goodness-of-fit measure was proposed to assess the robustness and reliability of L50 estimates, and thus selecting those that minimize the fitting-associated errors. Finally, results suggested that the low proportion of immature individuals in the samples represents the main source of bias in L50 estimation and possible solution was also proposed.
Highlights
Small pelagic species comprise about one quarter of the global catch of fishes, such that they are both economically and ecologically considerable (Lleonart and Maynou, 2003; Ganias, 2014).Among these species, the European sardine, Sardina pilchardus (Walbaum, 1792), plays a key role in maintaining ecological processes in marine systems, occupying an essential intermediate trophic level in pelagic ecosystems (Bakun, 2006; Rumolo et al, 2016)
Sardine in Geographical Sub-Area 16 [GSA 16, i.e., the Strait of Sicily, defined according to the Mediterranean sub-areas adopted for stock assessments by the GFCM (2009)] are targeted by purse seine and mid-water pelagic trawls
No use of live animals has been required for this study and no specific permissions were needed for the sampling activities in all of the investigated areas, because the target species is commercially harvested and it was caught in areas where fishing is allowed
Summary
Small pelagic species comprise about one quarter of the global catch of fishes, such that they are both economically and ecologically considerable (Lleonart and Maynou, 2003; Ganias, 2014). Among these species, the European sardine, Sardina pilchardus (Walbaum, 1792), plays a key role in maintaining ecological processes in marine systems, occupying an essential intermediate trophic level in pelagic ecosystems (Bakun, 2006; Rumolo et al, 2016). New or improved estimates of maturity ogives should assist with sustainable management of living marine resources in both data-poor and datarich situations.
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