Life-history traits and population decline of the Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus in the Adriatic Sea

• Published in: Journal of fish biology Vol. 83; no. 5; pp. 1249 - 1267
• Main Authors: MENEGHESSO, C, RIGINELLA, E, LA MESA, M, DONATO, F, MAZZOLDI, C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Blackwell 01-11-2013
• Subjects: Agnatha. Pisces; Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Fresh water ecosystems; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Sea water ecosystems; Synecology; Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution; Mediterranean Sea; Adriatic Sea; Freshwater environment; Marine environment; Vertebrata; Reproduction; Scomber scombrus; Gonad; Otolith; Pisces; Life history trait; Fecundity; Age; Population decline
• ISSN: 0022-1112; 1095-8649
• DOI: 10.1111/jfb.12223

This study investigated demographic structure and reproductive characteristics of the Atlantic mackerel
Scomber scombrus
, in relation to landing trends in the northern‐central Adriatic Sea. Results highlighted the occurrence of only small‐sized and young‐age individuals, and a marked decline from the 1990s to the present in maximum age (from 8 to 3 years) and total length (
L
T
; from 420 to 360 mm). Fecundity ranged between 40 000 and 190 000 eggs, and was related to female
L
T
. High levels of atresia implied lower values of actual fecundity. Sexual maturity was attained by 72·8% of individuals in their first year of life at 200 mm. The reduction in maximum
L
T
resulted in a marked decline in the population egg production, while the reduction in maximum age implied that females participated in fewer spawning events.