VARIATIONS IN GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION MEASUREMENTS OF Trachurus mediterraneus FROM THE ROMANIAN BLACK SEA COAST

Abstract

As the horse mackerel Trachurus mediterraneus (Steindachner, 1868) is one of the most exploited commercial species of the Black Sea fisheries, the knowledge of its different biological aspects related to growth and reproduction is highly important. This paper presents preliminary results of the analysis of morphological measurements (total length, total weight), Fulton relative body condition index, age, sex and degree of maturity of the horse mackerel population from the Romanian Black Sea coast. 563 individuals were collected between June and November in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2018, from trawl and trap net catches. Their mean total length was 11.4 ± 2.4 cm, their mean total weight was14.4 ± 8.5 g and they had between 0 and 4+ years with a mean age of 1.7 ± 1.1 years. The data analyses of their measurements highlighted significant temporal differences between years and months, but no differences occurred between areas and sexes. These results should contribute to a better knowledge of the biology of the horse mackerel and may help to improve the management of the stock of this species for sustainable fisheries.