Sardinella Gibbosa Research Articles

Reproductive biology of goldstripe sardinella (Sardinella gibbosa) landed at TPI Pantai Labu Deli Serdang, North Sumatra

Goldstripe sardinella (Sardinella gibbosa) is a small pelagic fish found in Pantai Labu, Malacca Strait. Goldstripe sardinella has an important economic value and is in great demand by the local community because it has an affordable price so that it becomes the main target catch of fishermen. Increased fishing effort and demand are feared to have decreased population. This study aimed to determine the reproductive biology of Goldstripe sardinella (S. gibbosa) landed at the TPI Pantai Labu Deli Serdang, North Sumatra Province. This research was conducted from September to November 2022. The method used was a random purposive sampling method with an interval of one month. The number of fish samples was 209 fish with a total length of 134-208 mm and a total weight of 25.01-99.89 g. The sex ratio between males and females is 0.82:1 indicating the ratio is balanced. The GSI values were concurrent from GML I-GML IV with an overall GSI value of 2.39%, fecundity ranged from 1548-30858 grains with a partial spawning pattern.

COMPOSITION OF THE NEW DESIGN OF PAYANG CATCHES IN MAJENE WATERS, MAKASSAR STRAIT

In this study, a new design scottish seine net was used with larger than the general size of the Scottish seine net in the research location. The purpose of this research was to analyze the total catch, species composition and the length of the catch. The study was conducted on one case of a Scottish seine net fishery unit by making a new design of Scottish seine net and then operating it with Scottish seine net fishers in the waters of Majene Makassar Strait. The parameters observed were the fish species caught and the length of each species. From the study results, it was found that the catch of 8 species of fish with total of 15,253 fish in the other bag. The species composition consisted of Shortfin scad (Decapterus macrosoma) 66.48%, Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) 14.42%, Rainbow runner (Elagatis bipinnulata) 7.09%, Mackerel tuna (Euthynnus affinis) 3.83%, Malabar trevally (Carangoides malabaricus) 2.39%, Unicorn leatherjacket (Aluterus monoceros) 2.29%, Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) 2.19% and Goldstripe sardinella (Sardinella gibbosa) 1.31%. The length of the dominant catch Shortfin scad (Decapterus macrosoma) as much as 66.48% ranged from 12.5 - 27 cm with a catchable percentage of 82.53% while Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) as the second highest catch was 14.42% only about 2 ,64% worth catching.

Valorization of marine by-products using green technology

In this work, two cases of marine by-product valorization using green technologies were highlighted, i.e., utilization of high-pressure carbon dioxide (HPCD) for demineralization of goldstripe sardinella (Sardinella gibbosa) scales and the use of non-specific enzymes for chitosan hydrolysis. After demineralization, type I collagen can be recovered from sardine scales. This work used HPCD process (of up to 10 bar or 1 MPa) to remove minerals from scales instead of the traditional strong acid method. Results from initial phase of the work showed that the process efficiency was significantly affected by pressure applied and treatment time (p < 0.05). And the demineralization efficiency reached was significantly lower than that achieved by treatment with hydrochloric acid (p < 0.05). In the second study, the chitosanolytic activity of four non-specific enzymes were assessed for chitosan hydrolysis. The results indicated that acid protease and cellulase could be a potential choice to produce chitooligosaccharides (COS) from shrimp shell.

Yellowstripe scad fishery (Selaroides leptolepis) in FMA 712: a short review

Small pelagic fish caught with mini purse seines (MPS) in the Java Sea has been exploited for a long time and causes resource sustainability. Policies in preserving natural resources require scientific studies that can provide management options. This research was conducted from March to July 2017 at PPN Pekalongan by recording catches and measuring fork length (FL). The composition of the MPS catch showed that 64% were small pelagic and dominated by Goldstripe sardinella (Sardinella gibbosa) 56.3%, Bigeye scad (Selar crumenophthalmus) 19.3%, and the scads (Decapterus spp) 12.3%, other species with small numbers including Yellowstripe scad (Selaroides leptolepis) by 2.5%. This Yellowstripe scad has a length of between 4.5-18.5 cm FL (average of 10.86 cm FL). The estimated natural mortality (M) is less than the fishing mortality (F). The level of exploitation (E=0.70) indicates that it is overfishing. The management operations that need to be taken to preserve the yellowstripe scad are by regulating the fishing area, determining the size of the allowed MPS nets, and limiting MPS attempts in the Java Sea.

Ingestion and accumulation of microplastics in small marine fish and potential human exposure: case study of Binh Dinh, Vietnam

The present study investigates microplastic (MP) accumulation in five small marine fish species living in the nearshore sea of Binh Dinh, Vietnam that are commonly consumed by the local coastal communities. Fish (Oxyurichthys ophthalmonema, Stolephorus commersonnii, Decapterus macrosoma, Upeneus moluccensis, Sardinella gibbosa) were collected from four sites in the nearshore sea of Binh Dinh in rainy and dry seasons. The temporal, spatial, and species variations in MP accumulation were evaluated to understand environmental exposure of MPs to fish and potential human exposure to MPs via fish consumption. Microplastics of different types, sizes, and colors were found in the digestive system of the fish species. Microplastic composition included polyethylene, polyvinyl ether, polymethacrylate, polydichloroethylene, polydivinyl ester, poly ester, polyfluoroethylene, and other additives of plastic materials. Microplastic abundance in the fish was dependent on species, site, and season. Overall, microfiber was the dominant MPs. The average total MP abundance range was 4.70–23.80 particles/fish or 0.29–6.21 particles/g fish. There were statistically significant differences in MP abundances between fish species, sites, and seasons. The presence of MPs in the digestive system of fish suggests that MPs are in the nearshore environment of Binh Dinh. The local communities along the coast of Binh Dinh can ingest MPs from consuming small fish at a weekly rate equivalent to one five-hundredth number of rice grains they consume/week.

Trace metals accumulation in tropical fish collected from Southeast coast, Tamil Nadu, India: Implication on pollution

The present study examined the levels of accumulation pattern of seven heavy metals such as essential metals (Iron (Fe), Magnesium (Mg), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu)) and non-essential metals (Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg)) in 13 tropical marine fishes collected from three major fish landings viz., Chennai, Nagapattinam and Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu. The overall accumulation pattern of all metals was found to be significant (P<0.05) between different species and three different landing centres. The orders of heavy metals in descending order were Mg > Fe > Zn > Cu > Hg > Pb > Cd in Chennai, followed by Mg > Fe > Zn > Hg > Pb > Cu > Cd in Nagapattinam, and Mg > Fe > Zn > Cu > Hg > Pb > Cd in Tuticorin. Bioaccumulation of metals showed preferential accumulation in muscle tissues of fish species viz., Otolithus ruber, Siganus javus, Atule mate, Sardinella gibbosa, Nemipterus japonicus, Lutjanus fulviflamma, Rastrelliger kanagurta, Gerres filamentosus, Sphyraena obtusata, Selar crumenophthalmus, Upeneus moluccensis, Plicofollis dussumieri and Sillago sihama. The metal concentrations were found dependent on species-specific, behaviour of feeding, pattern of swimming and genetic tendency or other factors such as age and geographical distribution. The metal concentration varied from the fish species. Principal component was analysed and found that heavy metal concentrations detected in the study do not pose a major risk to human being. The present work suggests to continuously monitor the polluted areas for a long-term basis, as the fishes show a tendency of accumulating even non-essential metals from polluted waters.

Investigate lipid and protein oxidation in herring (\(\textit{Sardinella gibbosa}\)) by sodium acetate during preservative time

The study was carried out to investigate lipid and protein oxidation of herring (Sardinella gibbosa) that was treated with (2.5% w/v) sodium acetate at 4oC. After 3, 6, 9, and 12 days, lipid and protein oxidation were evaluated by indications such as pH value, peroxide (PV), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), protease enzyme activity and sulfhydryl. The results showed that, pH was from 6.33 ± 0.005 to 7.42 ± 0.005 (p &lt; 0.05); PV was 1.73 ± 0.31 to 7.13 ± 0.5 (mEq/kg) (p &lt; 0.05), and TBA was from 53.3 ± 0.28 μmol MDA/kg to 207.4± 0.47 μmol MDA/kg (p &lt; 0.05). Protease enzyme activity reduced from 0.323–0.175 U/mg protein (p &lt; 0.05), and sulfhydryl was from 14.39–7.198 µmol/g protein (p &lt; 0.05). Consequently, sodium acetate effectively prevents lipid and protein oxidation, extending herring meat’s life.

Handling and Composition of Purse Seine Catches at Fishing Port, Batam City

Handling fish on board must be carried out properly to maintain the quality of the fish obtained. This study analyzed the handling process and composition of catches on purse seine vessels unloaded at the Fishing Port, Batam City. Handling of catches on purse seine vessels is carried out in the following stages, namely loading fish onto the ship, washing fish, sorting fish, washing fish before entering the Air Blasting Freezer (ABF) room, freezing using Air Blasting Freezer (ABF), packaging, and storage in cold storage rooms. The catch on trip 1st, with fishing operations from March 21st to April 15th 2022, resulted in a catch of 36,308 kg, with the following percentage of dominant catch composition, namely Indian scad of 78.61%, Bigeye scad of 7 .52%, Shrimp scad of 3.41%, Yellowtail scad of 3.05%, and Indian mackerel of 2.63%. The catch on trip 2nd, during the fishing operation period, from April 21st to May 13th, 2022, is presented in Table 2. The catch consisted of target and non-target species, with a total weight of 21,386 kg. The catch was dominated by Indian scad of 80.47%, Bigeye scad of 5.81%, Goldstripe sardinella of 5.29%, Bullet tuna of 2.63%, and Squid of 2.14%. Indian scad is the dominant species caught in the purse seine operation.

Population Dynamics of Goldstripe Sardinella (Sardinella gibbosa) in the Waters of Barru Regency, Province South Sulawesi

Goldstripe Sardinella (Sardinella gibbosa) is a type of small pelagic fish, of important economic value and is widely caught in the waters of Barru Regency which is the catch of lift net. This study aims to analyze the population dynamics of the Goldstripe Sardinella in the waters of Barru Regency, South Sulawesi. The data used in this study is primary data, namely direct data collection in the field in the form of measuring the length of the Goldstripe Sardinella sample. Sampling is carried out by measuring the catch of Goldstripe Sardinella using a stratified random sampling method . The number of Goldstripe Sardinella measured was 1,357 with a total length range of 100-190 mm. Found 3 age groups with average body length L1 = 116.4 mm , L2 = 145.4 mm, and L3 = 171 mm. L∞ = 211.0 mm, K = 0.50/year, and , t0 by -0.192 years. Z values = 1.69/year, M = 0.68/year with a water temperature of 29.8oC, and F = 1.01/year, as well as values E = 0.60 and Y/R’ = 0.0585 g/recruit. This value shows that in the waters of Barru Regency can be categorized as waters that have been overexploited, although the value of rapid growth, fishing activities are also high, and if continuous fishing is carried out without fishing arrangements, the stock of Goldstripe Sardinella will be reduced and even will experience extinction.

Occurrence of microplastics in some commercially important seafood varieties from Negombo, Sri Lanka

Microplastics have become one of the most pervasive pollutants found worldwide. The impacts of microplastics on biota as well as threats posed to humans are highly problematic, yet obscure. The present study evaluates the potential microplastic contamination in common wild-caught seafood varieties, namely, Sardinella gibbosa, Stolephorus commersonnii, Hemiramphus archipelagicus, Katsuwonus pelamis, Penaeus monodon, Scylla serrata, Sepia sp., and Perna perna representing different trophic levels and feeding habits including zooplanktivores, omnivores, carnivores, detritivores, and filter feeders. Samples were obtained from the Negombo fish market. Zooplankton samples were collected as planktivory from Negombo coastal waters. Microplastics were visually observed for type, length, and colour via a stereomicroscope. Characterization of polymers was done using Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Among all the samples, 92% of finfish samples and 88% of shellfish samples exhibited microplastic contamination. The zooplankton samples were also contaminated with 0.06 mm–0.11 mm size microplastics. Fibrous microplastics were the prominent type followed by fragments, spheres, films, pellets, and foams. Polyethylene, Propylene, Polystyrene, and Nylon-6,6 were the major polymer types observed. According to the One-way ANOVA test, trophic transfer interactions of studied food chains were significant (p < 0.05) at a 95% level of confidence. The microplastic contamination in edible tissues (flesh) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the majority of studied organisms. Thus, the findings suggest that trophic transfer represents an indirect, yet potential prime pathway of microplastic ingestion for any individual that consumes seafood habitually. Besides, the gutting and processing of seafood may reduce the amount of MPs, that would not typically be ingested by humans.

New records of introduced species in the Mediterranean Sea (April 2023)

This Collective article reports 17 introduced species and 22 new locations for these species in the Mediterranean Sea. The reports are from three different Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) subregions (Aegean-Levantine Sea, Adriatic Sea and Western Mediterranean Sea) and the Sea of Marmara and cover ten different countries. The goal of consistent and detailed reporting of introduced species is to complement the existing species inventories and serve as a basis for establishing monitoring strategies and other conservation measures. Some of the reports from this article are the first species records for the Mediterranean Sea, namely the green alga Udotea flabellum from the Aegean Sea (Turkey) and the deepbody boarfish Antigonia capros from the Balearic Sea (Spain). In addition, new records of introduced species are included for different seas, namely the moon crab Matuta victor for the Aegean Sea (Greece), the whale shark Rhincodon typus and the lionfish Pterois miles for the Alboran Sea (Spain), the almaco jack Seriola rivoliana for the Tyrrhenian Sea (Italy), and the hound needlefish Tylosurus crocodilus for the Adriatic Sea (Italy). Furthermore, reports on first country records are included: the red alga Colaconema codicola from Slovenia, the nudibranch Melibe viridis from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the lionfish Pterois miles from Montenegro, and the goldstripe sardinella Sardinella gibbosa from Syria, which also represents a second record for the Mediterranean Sea. Furthermore, the occurrence of the scleractinian coral Oculina patagonica was noted in Gulf of Lion (France). Four polychaete species, namely Leodice antennata, Timarete punctata and Branchiomma bairdi, are reported from the vermetid reef habitat and two of them (L. antennata and B. bairdi) are also recorded for the first time in Lebanon. Evidence for established populations of the Asian date mussel Arcuatula senhousia in the Sea of Marmara (Turkey) and the rayed pearl oyster Pinctada radiata around the island of Sardinia (Italy) is provided.

STUDI TINGKAT KERAMAHAN LINGKUNGAN ALAT TANGKAP PURSE SEINE DI PPI PONTAP KOTA PALOPO

Purse Seine is a fishing gear used to catch fish that have a schooling fish. The purpose of this study is 1) Knowing the composition of the type of fishermen's catch using purse seine fishing gear 2) Knowing the level of environmental friendliness of fishermen's purse seine fishing gear at PPI Pontap Palopo City based on the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF). This research was conducted for 1 (one) month, namely in June-July 2022. The methods used in this study are primary and secondary methods. Based on the results of the study; 1) The composition of the type of catch on the purse seine fishing gear at PPI Pontap caught 8 types of fish including male bloating (Rastrelliger kanagurta) with a total weight of 20 trips from 22 ships was 15,111.2 kg, Tembang (Sardinella gibbosa) 10,705.82 kg, Kite deles (Decapterus macrosoma) 9,213.43 kg, Skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) 822.9 kg, Selar como (Atule mate) 2,008 kg, Yellow selar (Salaroides leptolepis) 4,230.9 kg, Petek (Secutor indicius) 1,823.9 kg and Gutters (Scomberoides tala) 306.5 kg. So the total overall weight for 20 fishing trips reached 44,223 kg. 2) The level of environmental friendliness of purse seine fishing gear at TPI Pontap is included in the category of very environmentally friendly with a total weight value of 29.

Analyses of microplastics in the digestive tract of bottom-trawled fishes in Southwest Taiwan

This study provides the first insight of microplastic in by-catch fish digestive tract in Southwest Taiwan. We dissected and isolated microplastics from six common species/families, Benthosema pterotum (Myctophidae), Equulites oblongus (Leiognathidae), Ostorhinchus pleuron (Apogonidae), Sardinella gibbosa (Clupeidae), Trachinocephalus trichinus (Synodontidae), and Upeneus japonicus (Mullidae), from Kezailiao Fishing Port, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and found 67.2% specimens had swallowed microplastics, with an average of 2.2 pieces per specimen. Furthermore, the result of the relationships between trophic level, size, habitat, and the number of microplastics suggested that the number of microplastics inside a fish is environmental relative, not the biological characteristics of the fish. In conclusion, neritic fishes such as cardinalfish are not a suitable source for the feed industry while pelagic fishes such as sardines are recommended.

Length-weight relationships and condition factors of fifteen fish species from Pabean Bay, West Java, Indonesia

Length-weight relationships (LWR) and condition factors (CF) were calculated for thirteen fish species using 621 specimens from Pabean Bay, West Java, Indonesia. This study is the first reference on length–parameters and condition factors for fifteen species, namely: Ambassis vaschelli, Arius sp., Asterhombus intermedius, Butis amboinensis, Eleuthronema tetradactylum, Gerres abbreviatus, Johnius coitor, Glosogobius sirkumspelitus, Karalla dussumieri, Lutjanus ruselli, Pomadasys kaakan, Pseudorhombus arsius, Sardinella gibbosa, Strongylura strongylura, and Terapon jarbua. Fish caught montly from January to December 2015, using gillnet and set net. The results of LWR and CF from fifteen fish species indicated that the growth pattern was: 3 species were allometric positive (b>3), 1 species was isometric (b=3), and 11 species were allometric negative (b<3).

Analysis of superior commodities of capture fisheries sector at Kranji Village, Lamongan Regency

The fisheries sector is one of the main driver of the national economy. One area of Indonesia that has fishery potential that can be developed is Paciran District, Lamongan Regency, East Java Province. This study was conducted in Kranji Village, which is located in Paciran District and has great pelagic fishery potential. The purpose of this study is to analyze the determination of superior fish commodities from the capture fisheries sector in Kranji Village. The determination of the leading commodities is carried out based on the LQ (Location Quotient) analysis method. The fluctuation of the catch in Kranji Village is affected by various aspects such as natural conditions, the number of fishing gear and government regulations. The fishing season in Kranji Village is divided into: (1) Tuna (Thunnus sp.) season which occurs from October to April with 15 to 20 trips per month; and (2) Goldstripe Sardinella (Sardinella gibbosa) season from May to September with 7 to 12 trips per month. Fishing gear in Kranji Village consists of purse sein, gill nets, cob nets, waring and mini trawlers. This study found that LQ value &gt;1 for 12 fishes species: Bali Sardinella, Goldstripe Sardinella, Torpedo Scad, Longtail Tuna, Eastern Little Tun, Narrow-barred Spanish Mackerel, Giant Fish, Black Pomfret, Dorab Wolf Hearing, Orange-spotted Spinefoot (1.065), Other Fishes (1.057), and Short-bodied Mackerel (1.007). The results indicate that 12 fishes species have a comparative advantage and increasing income and contribution to the economy of Kranji Village.

The fisheries productivity of purse seine in TPI Kranji Paciran, Lamongan

Fisheries productivity plays an important role in national development. The potential of fisheries in Indonesia is quite large so that many coastal communities depend on their lives from fishing activities. East Java province has a fishery area that is quite potential with the availability of considerable human resources, one of them is Lamongan. This research was conducted in Fish Auction Site (Tempat Pelelangan Ikan, TPI) Kranji, Lamongan. The purpose of this study is to find out the productivity value of purse seine fisheries in TPI Kranji based on the size of the ship and the fishing trip. This research was conducted by survey method to know the condition of purse seine fishery in the field directly. Purse seine fishing vessels located in TPI Kranji in 2020 as many as 32 ships that have gross tonnage (GT) of 9 to 24 GT. The dominant catches are Longtail Tuna (Thunnus tonggol), Mackerel Tuna (Euthynnus affinis), Fringescale Sardinella (Sardinella fimbriata), Short Mackerel (Rastrelliger brachysoma) and Goldstripe Sardinella (Sardinella gibbosa). There are two seasons in the fishing process at TPI Kranji, the regular season (Fringescale Sardinella) and the peak season (Tuna). The highest value of productivity per trip was obtained 1.59 tons / trip / year which occurred in 2019 with 223 of fishing trips and the amount of catch production of 356.71 tons. The highest value of productivity per GT occurred in 2020, obtained 2.09 tons / GT / year, which currently has 32 purse seine vessels. The productivity per GT from year to year is increasing because the amount of production is also increasing every year.

Impact of a ring net fishery in the inshore marine waters of Kilifi on the reproductive biology of six pelagic fish species

Ring nets are modified purse seines used for pelagic fishing along the Kenya coast. This method is however associated with potential negative environmental implications in inshore and shallow fishing grounds. Biological impacts on selected pelagic species caught in the marine waters of Kilifi were investigated during the Southeast Monsoon season (SEM) in April, May and September 2014, and the Northeast Monsoon season (NEM) in October and November 2014, and March 2015. Amblygaster sirm, Rastrelliger brachysoma, Sardinella gibbosa, Rastrelliger kanagurta, Hemiramphus far and Sphyraena obtusata were the most abundant species caught by the ring nets and comprised 68.9 % of fish catch composition. Analysis of ring net impacts on the fish sizes and maturity status were conducted for the NEM and SEM seasons. The catch composition for A. sirm in October comprised of 53.3 % juveniles and 53.4 % juveniles for S. obtusata in November. High percentages of H. far (78.3%) and S. obtusata (58.9 %) were captured in September. Incidences of undersize fish for A. sirm, S. gibbosa, R. kanagurta and R. brachysoma were observed across the seasons. Sex ratios for A. sirm, R. brachysoma, R. kanagurta and S. obtusata in the NEM season deviated from a normal ratio of 1:1 with more males observed. Females were dominant in the catch for H. far (1: 1.28) but the ratio was not different for S. gibbosa (χ² = 5.564, df = 1, p = 0.21). Males were dominant for A. sirm (1: 0.8) and S. gibbosa (1: 0.7) in the SEM season but the ratios were not different for H. far, S. obtusata, R. brachysoma and R. kanagurta. Differences in sex ratios were attributed to fish migrations and reproductive processes. Ring nets fished relatively offshore during the NEM season and targeted mainly spawning aggregations in stage IV. Immature fish in stage I and II which comprised of juveniles were harvested within sheltered inshore waters in the SEM season. Use of ring nets to target juveniles and spawning aggregations may disrupt recruitment processes. To enhance sustainable management of the ring net fishery, there is a need to develop harvesting strategies based on the information on stock status of the target fish.

Catch Composition of Fix-Liftnet Based-on the Light Color Combination in Pangkep Waters

This study aims to describe the composition of the species and the frequency of occurrence of fix-liftnet based on the combination of white-yellow-blue and white-yellow Light Emitting Diode (LED). The research was carried out in July – October 2020, by following the operation of capturing 1 unit of fix-liftnet with 442 watts of light power each. Data collection includes the type and number of catches based on trips and grouped into main, by-catch and discarded catches. The results showed that the composition of the type of catch consisted of 26 species dominated by common ponyfish, Indonesian oil-sardine, squid, anchovies, crabs, yellow snakehead and fringesscale sardinella. The total catch of the combination of white-yellow-blue lights was 359.8 kg with main catch 74.4%, by-catch 19.8% and waste 5.9%. While the white-yellow color combination is 343.8 kg with 75.8% main catch, 15.5% by-catch and 8.3% waste. Fish species with 100% occurrence frequency were common ponyfish (Leiognathus equulus), flower crab (Portunus pelagicus), squid (Loligo sp), Indonesian oil-sardine (Sardinella gibbosa), and smooth pufferfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus).

MORPHOREGRESSION AND FIRST SIZE AT MATURITY OF GOLDSTRIPE SARDINELLA (SARDINELLA GIBBOSA) FROM BALI STRAIT WATERS

Bali Strait was one of the highest density areas for small pelagic fish in Indonesian Fisheries Management Area (FMA)-573 with goldstripe sardinella (Sardinella gibbosa) as was one of the abundant species in the catch. The aims of this study were to reveal the morphoregression characteristics and the first size of maturity for Sardinella gibbosa in Bali Strait waters. A total of 1.282 goldstripe sardinella were measured in total length (TL), fork length (FL), and standard length (SL)) and weighed during the study. All of the length measurement methods were highly related to the weight, which were W = 4 x 10-6 TL3,1686 (R² = 0,9817); W = 4 x 10-6 FL3,2334 (R² = 0,9732); and W = 1 x 10-5 SL3,0239 (R² = 0,9656), respectively. Among all the measurement methods, total length estimated the weight more accurately than the others. The growth pattern of goldstripe sardinella in this study were various based on the measurement method, sex, and the maturity level of the fish. A total of 800 individuals were dissected and their gonads examined. The sex was identified by visual characteristics. The size at 50% maturity for goldstripe sardinella in Bali Strait was 148 mm TL for male and 155 mm TL for female. Most of the caught fish were under the size at 50% maturity.

Microplastics in beach sand and potential contamination of planktivorous fish &lt;em&gt;Sardinella gibbosa&lt;/em&gt; inhabiting in coastal waters of Negombo, Sri Lanka

Microplastic pollution has become the most significant marine environmental concern. There has been a surge of information on microplastic contamination in various marine environments worldwide. However, the level of microplastic contamination in marine environments is just begun to understand in Sri Lanka. The present study looked at the microplastic contamination level in the beach sand of Pitipana, Catamaran, and Dūwana beaches along the coast of Negombo, Sri Lanka. Sampling was conducted bi-monthly from March to November in 2017. Beach sand samples were collected from the surface (0-1cm) and subsurface (10-11cm) layers and three regions representing the low-tide, high-tide, and vegetation line of each beach. Sand samples were filtered through 5mm and 1mm sieve-set, and particles greater than 5mm were discarded since they are not considered microplastics. Particles retained in 1mm sieve and the filtrate were collected separately. Microplastics were density separated and categorized into two size classes as 1-5mm and smaller than 1mm. Microplastics in the 1-5mm size-class were categorized as fiber, foam, fragment, and pellet. Microplastics &lt;1mm were subjected to FTIR spectroscopy and identified based on the polymer type. Further, goldstrip sardine, Sardinella gibbosa samples were obtained from the coastal waters of Pitipana and tested for possible microplastic contamination in commercial fishes. Results revealed that the Pitipana beach sand was highly contaminated with 1-5mm category microplastics reporting a mean abundance (±SD) value of 7.2±7.66 particles/m3 by number compared to other sites. The fragment was the dominant type found in Catamaran and Dūwana beaches, while foam was the predominant type in Pitipana beach. However, pellets were not recorded in any of the sites sampled. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was the major polymer type recorded in Pitipana beach sand, and polyester was dominant in Dūwana and Catamaran beaches. The FTIR spectra revealed the presence of polyethylene and polypropylene in gut contents of Sardinella gibbosa, suggesting contamination of microplastics in planktivorous fish and potential for accumulation along the trophic chain.