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Life history parameters of blue jack mackerel Trachurus picturatus (Teleostei: Carangidae) from north-east Atlantic

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 November 2014

Alexandra Garcia*
Affiliation:
Department of Oceanography and Fisheries (DOP), University of the Azores, Rua Prof. Doutor Frederico Machado, 9901-862 Horta, Portugal
João g. Pereira
Affiliation:
Department of Oceanography and Fisheries (DOP), University of the Azores, Rua Prof. Doutor Frederico Machado, 9901-862 Horta, Portugal
Ângela Canha
Affiliation:
Department of Oceanography and Fisheries (DOP), University of the Azores, Rua Prof. Doutor Frederico Machado, 9901-862 Horta, Portugal
Dália Reis
Affiliation:
Department of Oceanography and Fisheries (DOP), University of the Azores, Rua Prof. Doutor Frederico Machado, 9901-862 Horta, Portugal
Hugo Diogo
Affiliation:
Department of Oceanography and Fisheries (DOP), University of the Azores, Rua Prof. Doutor Frederico Machado, 9901-862 Horta, Portugal
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: A. Garcia, Department of Oceanography and Fisheries (DOP), University of the Azores, Rua Prof. Doutor Frederico Machado, 9901-862 Horta, Portugal email: alexandra.garcia.guerreiro@gmail.com

Abstract

Blue jack mackerel Trachurus picturatus monthly samples were collected between 1998 and 2011 to determine morphometric relationships, maturity, growth rates, reproduction and spawning seasonality in north-east Atlantic waters (ICES area Xa2). A total of 2895 specimens were sampled, ranging from 98 to 542 mm in fork-length (LF). The morphometric relationships (length-length and length-weight) showed statistically significant differences between sexes. Ages were estimated by counting growth bands on otoliths and verified by marginal increment analysis, with specimens ranging from 0 to 18 years. The von Bertalanffy models used to estimate growth parameters for both observed and back-calculated length-at-age data gave good fits. The gonads were analysed macroscopically and the spawning season found to occur from December to May. The length at 50% maturity for females and males occurred at 277 mm LF (4.3 years) and 288 mm LF (5.1 years), respectively. The results provide important biological information for fisheries assessment of a species that plays an important key role in the surrounding ecosystem.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2014 

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