The biology of solenette, Buglossidium luteum (Risso), in the Solway Firth

The population of solenette, Buglossidium luteum , in the Solway Firth was studied from November 1977 until January 1979. The fish live in mobile, highly aggregated groupings, on sandy bottoms, in the outer Firth. A general offshore movement occurs in winter with a limited incursion of juveniles into the inner Solway in summer. Most growth occurs in the first few years of life and a length of 130 mm is attained. Longevity is 10 years. Females grow larger than males, but both sexes mature in their third year. Spawning starts in March/April, is most active in May/June and ends in August. Food intake is markedly reduced in winter. Small Crustacea, bivalve molluscs and polychaete worms form year-round components of a varied diet. Juvenile forms, especially shrimp and fish are readily taken when available.     

Age and growth of the hollowsnout grenadier, Caelorinchus caelorhincus (Risso, 1810), in the Aegean Sea

Age and growth of the hollowsnout grenadier was studied based on samples collected seasonally in the Agean Sea between March 2003 and January 2004. Total length ranged from 9.0 to 21.6 cm. Length–weight relationship was described as a = 0.0032, and b = 3.008. Age determinations based on otolith readings were between 1 and 10 years. The von Bertalanffy growth curve fitted to observed lengths‐at‐age provided parameters of L_∞ = 24.9 cm, k = 0.115 and t_o = ?3.494.     

Age, growth and mortality of the Mediterranean amberjack Seriola dumerili (Risso 1810) from the south-eastern Adriatic Sea

The age, growth and mortality of the Mediterranean amberjack Seriola dumerili (Risso 1810) were determined in 298 specimens collected in the south-eastern Adriatic Sea (Donji Molunat Bay) from 17 May to 26 June 1997. The total length ranged from 32.0 to 160.0 cm and weight from 0.5 to 46.5 kg. Ten age classes, ranging from 1° to 10° years were defined by scale readings. Mean total length and weight-at-age data were used to estimate the growth parameters of the von Bertalanffy equation: L _∞=174.6 cm, K =0.190, t ₀=–0.314; W _∞=79.01 kg, K =0.139 and t ₀=–0.746. The length–weight relationship was estimated at: W =0.000123 ×  L ^2.847. The overall sex ratio was 1 : 1.06 in favour of males. Total ( Z ) and natural ( M ) mortality were found to be 0.41 years⁻¹ and 0.30 years^–1, respectively. The exploitation ratio ( E =0.27) indicates that the fishing pressure on the Mediterranean amberjack was low in the investigated region.     

Age and growth of the sand smelt, Atherina boyeri (Risso 1810), in the Mar Menor coastal lagoon (SE Iberian Peninsula)

The age and growth of sand smelt, Atherina boyeri (Risso 1810), in the Mar Menor (SE Iberian Peninsula) were studied in samples taken from catches of local fishermen obtained between November 1997 and September 1998. The maximum lengths were 94 mm (FL, fork length) in females and 87 mm (FL) in males. Age determination based on scale readings and validated by length frequency analysis shows that the population has a 3‐year life cycle. Females were significantly longer than males in each of the age classes. Both sexes of the sand smelt grow allometrically (b = 3.113 males; b = 3.043 females) and attain approximately 56.2% of their maximum fork length in their immature first year, after which the annual growth rate drops quickly. The highest growth rate was observed from winter to spring (G_L = 16.01 males 1+; G_L = 11.25 males 2+; G_L = 17.18 females 1+; G_L = 9.62 females 2+). The condition cycles were similar for both sexes, with a minimum in June–July and two maximums in April and November.     

First record of the hollowsnout grenadier, Coelorhynchus coelorhyncus (Risso, 1810), from the Sea of Marmara, Turkey

In August 2008 eight specimens of the hollowsnout grenadier, Coelorhynchus coelorhyncus, were caught by beam trawl off Barbaros in the Sea of Marmara, Turkey. The study represents the first record of this species in the Sea of Marmara.     

Age,growth and reproduction of the sand smelt Atherina boyeri Risso, 1810 in Mellah Lagoon (Eastern Algeria)

This aim of this paper was the study of the reproductive biology and growth of the sand smelt, Atherina boyeri, in Mellah Lagoon (Algeria). These data are important for the sustainable exploitation of the stocks of this species. Examined was a total of 1402 Atherina boyeri specimens captured monthly from March 2010 to March 2011, in a population with a 3‐year life cycle. Length–weight relationship was estimated as W = 0.0047 L^3.077 (r² = 0.935) for males and W = 0.0047 L^3.176 (r² = 0.935) for females. Using scales, the von Bertalanffy growth function fitted to back‐calculated size‐at‐age data was Lt = 9.49 [1 ? e^{?0.316 (t + 0.928)}] for males, and Lt = 11.67 [1 ? e^{?0.179 (t + 1.514)}] for females; using otoliths this was Lt = 9.68 [1 ? e^{?0.3 (t + 1.02)}] for males, and Lt = 11.93 [1 ? e^{?0.171 (t + 1.55)}] for females. The growth performance index (Φ) indicated that males (Φ_scales = 3.34, Φ_otoliths = 3.33) grew at the same rate as females (Φ_scales = 3.19, Φ_otoliths = 3.24), with a sex ratio of 1 : 1.6 in favor of females. The reproductive season extended from February to June. Individual length at first sexual maturity was 4.20 cm for 1‐year‐old males and 4.35 cm for 1‐year‐old females.     

Age and growth of pearly razorfish,Xyrichtys novacula (Linnaeus 1758), in the central Mediterranean Sea

Age and growth of pearly razorfish Xyrichtys novacula (Labridae) were determined in specimens caught on sandy bottoms by surrounding nets and lines (depth range 5–30 m) between January 2000 and December 2002. The study location was in the central Mediterranean Sea. For this purpose the annual growth increments (annuli) in sagittae were analysed. A total of 470 individuals of X. novacula, ranging from 49 to 200 mm TL (total length), were examined. Conversion between total length and standard length was calculated and represented by the relationship: . Edge analysis on otoliths was carried out to validate seasonality deposition. Seven age‐classes were determined from 0+ to 6+. The linear relationship between maximum otolith length (OL) and TL was summarized in the equation . The estimated parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth function were L = 175.05 mm, k = 0.80 year^?1, t₀ =?0.73 years and the growth performance index calculated as (Φ = 2.39). The length–weight relationship W = 0.0139 TL^2.9326 described an isometric growth for the species in this area.     

Age,growth, reproduction and feeding of John Dory,Zeus faber (Pisces: Zeidae), in the Saros Bay (North Aegean Sea)

The age, growth, reproduction, sexual maturity and stomach content of John Dory (Zeus faber), caught in the Bay of Saros (North Aegean Sea) between September 2006 and September 2008, were investigated. The female‐male ratio was 1.6 : 1. The total length of females ranged from 13.8 cm to 52.8 cm, and of males from 12.2 cm to 42.9 cm. The length‐weight relationship was W = 0.0174*L^2.936. Age data derived from vertebral centra readings were used to estimate the growth parameters of the von Bertalanffy equation. Growth parameters for females were L_∞ = 58.50 cm K = 0.11 year^?1, t₀ = ?0.99 year and for males L_∞ = 45.01 cm, K = 0.13 year^?1, t₀ = ?1.17 year. Maximum age was 18 years for females and 17 years for males. Length at first maturity for both females and males was 25.4 cm. Monthly values of the gonadosomatic index indicated that spawning occurred mainly in two peaks: one between January and June, and the other from August to September. Stomach content analysis showed the most‐preferred prey to be Pisces (IRI% 97.3).     

Age and growth of Boops boops (Linnaeus, 1758) in Izmir Bay,Aegean Sea,Turkey

The present study was conducted to determine the age relationships in lengths and weights of Boops boops (Linneaus, 1756) in Izmir Bay, central Aegean Sea. A total of 932 specimens (503 females and 429 males) were caught by gillnet, trammel net and a combination thereof on a monthly sampling basis from November 2008 through October 2009. Total length and weight of sampled fish ranged from 11.3 to 27.9 cm and from 12.2 to 261.7 g, with a mean of 19.6 cm and 82.7 g, respectively. Length‐weight relationships for all individuals were described by the parameters a = 0.0050, b = 3.237 and r² = 0.956. The von Bertalanffy growth curve fitted to the lengths‐at‐age provided parameters of L_∞ = 29.87 cm k = 0.243 and t_o = ?0.98 for males and L_∞ = 30.79 cm, k = 0.239 and t_o = ?0.90 for females. Based on otolith readings, age determinations varied from 1 to 5 years. Maximum age was 5 years in age group 2, with 29.84 and 37.97% for males and females, respectively. The overall 1 : 1.17 sex ratio of males to females was significantly biased toward females (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the mean condition factor (P > 0.05), with a value of 1.028 for the entire population. The growth performance index (Φ^’) was 2.33 and 2.36 for males and females, respectively. Results were similar to other geographical areas, which suggests that a common fisheries management might be possible.     

Age, growth and mortality of red bandfish, Cepola macrophthalma (L.), in the western Aegean Sea (Greece)

Age, growth and mortality of red bandfish, Cepola macrophrhalma (L.), from the western Aegean Sea were studied using the otoliths from 1113 fish and the length and weight of 3351 fish. Two regions were established (north and south of the Euripos Strait). The red bandfish grows allometrically (slope of length-weight regressions ≤2) and relatively rapidly until age 4 or 5 years. It is proposed that this rapid linear growth represents an adaptation which evolved to reduce the vulnerability of red bandfish to whole-fish swallowers. Back-calculated lengths-at-age showed significant differences between regions and between sexes. Males were larger than females after age 2 years. Maximum age of northern fish was also higher than southern fish (8 and 5 years respectively). Southern fish grow at a faster rate (K=0.379) but to a significantly smaller size (L_x=424.8mm t.l. , W_x=25.1 g) than northern fish (K=0.214, L_x=676.1 mm t.l. , W_x=90.9 g). Mortality rates (total and natural instantaneous mortalities) of southern fish were also higher than northern fish. We suggest that these variations represent responses to the different conditions of temperature and food availability prevailing in the two regions.     

Maturity and fecundity of golden grey mullet (Liza aurata Risso, 1810) in Iranian waters of the Caspian Sea

The objective of the study was to determine some reproductive parameters in the golden grey mullet (Liza aurata Risso, 1810) during two periods half a decade apart while also trying from limited data to identify changes in fecundity over the past half century. Maturity and fecundity of golden grey mullet caught in Iranian waters of the Caspian Sea is not well documented and were thus studied during several seasonal cycles during 2002–2004 to establish basic data on reproduction in the area. The fork length (FL) of 462 sampled fish was between 22.1 and 51.9 cm. The fork length–weight relationship derived from all fish was W = 0.0118FL^2.964. Overall male to female ratio was 1 : 1.42. The reproductive season extended from October to December. Fifty percent of sexual maturity was at FL 26.0 cm. Mature gonads were present in 20% of fish at age 3, 63% at age 4, 88% at age 5, and 97% at age 6. Individual absolute fecundity of the golden grey mullet ranged from 113 386 to 1.47 million eggs, with a mean (±SD) of 451 963 (±274,114.2). An overlap exists between the spawning and fishing seasons. Therefore, the start of the fishing season should be delayed for 1 month in order for stocks to complete their spawning.     

Ultrastructure of spermiogenesis in Liza aurata Risso, 1810 (Teleostei,Mugilidae)

Summary Sequential cytological events in late spermatogenesis of Liza aurata were studied from the stage secondary spermatocytes to that of mature spermatozoa. Spermiogenesis involves preparatory morphological events followed by conspicuous modifications such as intracellular movements (diplosome and mitochondrion migration, spermatid lengthening, nuclear rotation) and structural changes (dense chromatin granules, increase in size of mitochondria, loss of cytoplasm). Mature spermatozoa, with a round nucleus and a pseudo-midpiece are of a primitive type, even compared with spermatozoa of other teleosts.     

Comparative study of sexual cycles, oogenesis and spawning of two Soleidae, Solea lascaris (Risso, 1810) and Solea impar (Bennet, 1831), on the western coast of Brittany

Two sand sole species, Solea lascaris and Solea impar , are common on the western coast of Brittany, France. Their reproduction (oogenesis and spawning) has been studied by following the gonadosomatic index, histological changes in ovary development, and oocyte diameter distribution. Both species have a prolonged spawning season, from spring to late summer. Each mature female breeds twice during the spawning season: in May and July for 5. lascaris , and in early June and July for 5. impar. Throughout the spawning season, several oocyte batches undergo vitellogenesis and there is a continuous recruitment of immature or primary oocytes into vitellogenesis. The two species are thus serial synchronous spawners. This, together with oocyte atresia late in the season (especially noticeable in S. impar ) makes fecundity estimation difficult.     

Stock assessment and management implications of golden grey mullet (Liza aurata Risso, 1810) in Iranian waters of the Caspian Sea

Recent changes in the Caspian ecosystem have caused changes in the absolute and relative abundance of the commercially important golden grey mullet (Liza aurata) in Iranian waters. In order to adjust for these changes a more rigorous management of this fishery resource is required. The present study examines the biomass of golden grey mullet during 1991–2010. Estimates of f_MSY, yield‐per‐recruit and spawning biomass‐per‐recruit are presented for various harvesting strategies of F_max, F_0.1, F_35%, and a method is proposed for estimating acceptable biological catch (ABC) that accounts for large differences in the quality and quantity of information and available data. Biomass estimates of golden grey mullet, derived from a biomass‐based cohort analysis, increased from 13 527 tonnes in 1991–1992 to 20 100 t in 2000–2001, and declined to the lowest level (11 000 t) in 2007–2008. In 2009–2010, the total biomass was estimated to be 14 400 t. The ABC was estimated at 2200 t in 2010. Golden grey mullet is vulnerable to environmental factors, which should be considered in the stock assessment and management of the fish.     

Age, growth, mortality and sex ratio of sand smelt, Atherina boyeri Risso, 1810 (Pisces: Atherinidae) in the estuary of the Mala Neretva River (middle-eastern Adriatic, Croatia)

The present study investigated the age, growth, mortality and morphometry of the sand smelt, Atherina boyeri, in the Mala Neretva River estuary (mid‐eastern Adriatic Sea). The study of scale annuli showed that the population is up to 4 years of age. However, most sand smelt are in their first and second year; the numbers of older individuals are very low because they migrate upstream and are heavily fished. The von Bertalanffy parameters for the total sample of sand smelt were found to be L_∞ = 13.5 cm, K = 0.37 year^?1 and t₀ = ?0.97. Overall total mortality was estimated at 1.81 year^?1, natural mortality was 0.90 year^?1 and fishing mortality was 0.91 year^?1.     

Selectivity Parameters and Size at First Maturity in Deep-Water Shrimps, Aristaeomorpha foliacea (Risso, 1827) and Aristeus antennatus (Risso, 1816), from the North-Western Ionian Sea (Mediterranean Sea)

Selectivity experiments were carried out during trawling targeting deep-water shrimps Aristaeomorpha foliacea (Risso, 1827) and Aristeus antennatus (Risso, 1816) (Crustacea, Decapoda, Aristeidae) in the North-Western Ionian Sea (Eastern-Central Mediterranean). Different criteria were employed to analyse maturity; however, the proportion at 50% of retained, mated and mature specimens was always used to indicate the size, expressed as Carapace Length (CL, mm), at first capture (CL_c), mating (CL_sp) and at first maturity (CL_m), respectively. In order to estimate the size at 50% maturity (CL_m) for females of both species, three criteria were adopted. In particular, CL_m was computed for the mature females not considering the presence of spermatophores, for the mature females with spermatophores and for the mature females intersected by the decreasing proportion with size of females without spermatophores. Three diamond stretched mesh codends of 40, 50 and 60 mm were tested using a cover of 20 mm. The 40-mm stretched mesh size (European Union legal size in the Mediterranean) was not selective for the sampled population of each species. The size at first capture (CL_c), calculated in both species for the two sexes combined, increased significantly with mesh size. Even for the mesh size of 60 mm, the size at first capture was still smaller than the sizes at 50% maturity, whatever the criterion adopted. Since the differences between the size at first maturity and the sizes at first capture are greater in A. foliacea than A. antennatus, the former species appears in this respect to be more vulnerable to trawling than the latter.     

Age,growth, and age at sexual maturity of the commercially landed skate species,Dipturus chinensis (Basilewsky, 1855), in the northern East China Sea

Age, growth, and age at sexual maturity of the polkadot skate Dipturus chinensis, in the northern East China Sea were determined for a total of 614 specimens collected from April 2009 to December 2014. Vertebral centrum analysis was used to calculate the age of the skates. Annual band deposition was determined by marginal increment analysis. The von Bertalanffy growth model was fitted to the observed length‐at‐age data for each sex (males, L_∞ = 76.8, k = 0.109, t₀ = ?1.28; females, L_∞ = 83.1, k = 0.103, t₀ = ?1.20). Growth patterns of females and males were similar until the age of 6; thereafter, females grew larger than males. Maximum age recorded was 13 years for males and 15 years for females. Age at 50% sexual maturity was 8.22 years for males and 9.39 years for females. These results indicate that D. chinensis is slow growing, relatively long‐lived, and late maturing, and therefore vulnerable to exploitation.