Stock Assessment of Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus L) in Northern Black Sea and Sea of Azov

Abstract

European anchovy is most abundant in the Azov and Black Sea Basin ichthyocenosis and plays leading role in the marine fisheries. There are two subspecies of the European anchovy in the Black Sea: the Black Sea anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus ponticus Aleksandrov and the Azov anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus maeoticus Pusanov. Wintering areas of both subspecies (stocks) are located in the Black Sea. Basing on the more than 30-years research of anchovy, this chapter summarizes data on catches, catch per unit effort, population parameters, spatial distribution patterns, abundance, and scientific survey results separately for two stocks. Direct methods of stock assessment, based on trawl, lampara and hydroacoustic surveys data, have been applied. Authors recommend to the Black Sea countries authorities to build their anchovy fishery-regulating decisions mainly on the hydroacoustic surveys' results. A major impact of invasive Atlantic ctenophores Mnemiopsis leidyi and Beroe ovata on anchovy populations is revealed.