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

Ferreri R.; Genovese S.; Barra M.; Biagiotti I.; Bourdeix J.-H.; De Felice A.; Gasparevic D.; Hattab T.; Iglesias M.; Juretic T.; Leonori I.; Malavolti S.; Raykov V.S.; Saraux C.; Ticina V.; Ventero A.; Basilone G.;

Size at first sexual maturity (L) 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. L is known to display variability due to fishing pressure, geographical gradients, and environmental features. In this study, to investigate L 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 L values among the areas and between the sexes, with males reaching maturity at lower lengths than females. Even though the obtained L 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.

2021 - Journal article

Mediterranean Marine Science 22 (2021): 858–870. doi:10.12681/mms.25995

Keywords: Macroscopic maturity stage, condition factor, geographical variability, Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea

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The research activities of the Institute are carried out in the context of research, development and innovation projects, both national and international, based on regional funding programs (POR FEAMPA - Regional Operational Program of the European Maritime Affairs Fisheries Fund and Aquaculture and POR FESR - Regional Operational Program of the European Regional Development Fund) or ministerial (PRIN - Projects of relevant national interest, PNRA - National Research Program in Antarctica, PO FEAMPA - National Operational Program European Maritime Affairs Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund) , programs for European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg), direct funding programs of the European Commission (Horizon2020 and Horizon Europe, Life, JPI - Joint Programming Initiatives, ERA-NET Cofund) and thematic collaboration initiatives managed by international organizations such as, for example , the FAO - GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean). The Institute also develops funded projects in the context of collaborations with private companies in the sectors of the blue economy as well as technology transfer and research results. Research projects, mainly of a collaborative nature, are developed through a wide network of partners that include major Italian and foreign research institutions and universities.

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