The biology of Goldsilk Sea Bream (family: Sparidae) from the inshore waters of north coast Kenya

Abstract

<jats:p>The biology of the sparid, Acanthopagrus berda (goldsilk sea bream) was investigated using catch samples obtained from artisanal fishers at selected fish landing sites in the Marereni and Ngomeni fishing areas on the north coast of Kenya. This species has not previously been studied in Kenya although it forms significant proportions of artisanal fish landings and is also a promising aquaculture species. In order to contribute to knowledge of this species, the length-weight relationship, condition factor and feeding preference for prey items were studied in a total of 751 specimens sampled from July 2013 to July 2014. Length-weight relationships for male and female individuals from both fishing areas were strongly correlated (Males: Marereni - R2 = 0.920, Ngomeni - R2 = 0.983; Females: Marereni - R2 = 0.966, Ngomeni - R2 = 0.941). The condition factor of mixed sexes was not significantly different between the two fishing areas (Marereni 2.15 ± 0.08; Ngomeni 2.05 ± 0.02) at p &gt; 0.05. Gut content analysis recorded a total of 5 taxa in the diet (gastropods, molluscs, detritus, crustaceans and fish). The overall sample was dominated by female individuals with an overall sex ratio of females (405 individuals) to males (338 individuals) of 1:0.8 being significantly different at p &lt; 0.05. The species exhibited isometric and positive allometric growth patterns, indicative of the physiological well-being of this species on the north coast of Kenya. Gonadal maturation occurred throughout the year with peaks in July, August and September. However, more work is needed on the biology, distribution, spawning grounds, behavior, and migration patterns along the Kenyan coast. </jats:p>

Microplastics Contamination of Fish From The Creeks Along The Kenya Coast, Western Indian Ocean (WIO).

“…The high coefficient of determination implied proportional increase in weight and length. These results affirm earlier research on A. berda from the North Coast of Kenya, (W=0.0191L 2.988 ) with a coefficient determination (R 2 = 0.9676) (Anam et al, 2019) and from Shimoni artisanal fishery, Kenya (Ontomwa et al, 2018). The lengthweight relationship of A. berda could have influenced microplastic ingestion during feeding.…”

“…The lengthweight relationship of A. berda could have influenced microplastic ingestion during feeding. Isometric growth could be attributed to the phenotype of the species, condition of the fish, the environment and food availability (Ontomwa et al, 2018;Anam et al, 2019).…”

Some Population Parameters of Morocco dentex, Dentex maroccanus Valenciennes, 1830 in the Northeastern Mediterranean Sea

“…The males were more than females according to sex composition (58 males against 37 females). This may be explained by behavioral variations during sex change or by one sex being more susceptible to specific fishing equipment [35]. The sex ratio is expected to be 1:1, but several factors such as environmental conditions, food, and reproductive behavior can change this ratio [36].…”

Assessment of Seabream Fisheries Stock of Oman Using the Monte Carlo Catch Maximum Sustainable Yield and the Bayesian Schaefer Model Methods

“…Acanthopagrus sp. is mainly caught by the traps and stake nets used by commercial fishers in Kuwait [29]. There are many seabream species in Iraqi marine waters.…”

“…Seabreams inhabit temperate and tropical coastal waters and they are popular targets for recreational anglers worldwide [6,29]. Seabream are 'cyclic migrants' because their spawning occurs in the open sea, while the juveniles move into shallow areas with water depths of less than five meters [32].…”