Reproductive biology of Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias) was studied based on samples from commercial catches in M'diq Bay, Morocco. Females predominated in the total catch (54%), their size at first maturity being 19.19 ± 0.43 cm TL. A minimum landing size (MLS) of 21 cm is suggested. The oocyte size frequency distribution and histological analysis confirmed that S. colias is a species with an indeterminate fecundity. The batch fecundity was estimated as 18,452–131,642, with a mean of 60,022 oocytes. The relative batch fecundity was 157–360, with a mean of 279 eggs g−1.
Knowledge of reproductive parameters is necessary to understand the ecology, the population dynamics and to enable rational management of fish of economic interest. This work is a contribution to the study of some aspects of the reproductive biology of the Atlantic mackerel Scomber colias (Gmelin, 1789) in the Mediterranean Moroccan coast. The study is based on samples taken from commercial catches in M’diq Bay. The spawning period was determined following both the monthly changes of the gonadosomatic index and the histological maturity stages. The Atlantic chub mackerel spawn between November and March, with maximum activity in December.
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