Growth variability and demographic structure of northeast Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias) in southern European Atlantic waters
2022
Landa, J. (Jorge) | Domínguez-Petit, R. (Rosario) | Navarro-Rosado, M.J. (María José) | Silva, Andreia V. | Tornero, J. (Jorge) | Hernández, C. (Carmen) | Ramos, F. (Fernando) | Nunes, Cristina | Jurado-Ruzafa, A. (Alba)
The Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias) is one of the main fishing resources for the fisheries targeting small pelagics in NW African waters. This species is expanding its geographical distribution through higher latitudes in southern European Atlantic waters, and it has become an important fishing resource in Iberian Atlantic waters during the last decades. The present study addresses the growth variability of S. colias in the Iberian waters, from southern Bay of Biscay up to Gulf of Cadiz. Age estimates based on otoliths and growth parameters were obtained from specimens collected within the study area during one decade (from both commercial landings and scientific-acoustic surveys), and sexual growth variation was analysed. A common pattern of abundant cohorts was observed in various areas. However, differences in the demographic structure of the catches were observed among the different areas, with the southernmost area studied (Portuguese and Spanish waters off Gulf of Cadiz) standing out with younger individuals. These new findings are of interest for the stock assessment of S. colias, which has not been addressed in ICES waters so far.
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