Comparative reproductive biology of some commercial marine fishes from Argentina

MACCHI, G. J.; PÁJARO, M.

Fisken Og Havet

Año: 2003 vol. 12 p. 69 - 78

0071-5638

The fishery activity constitutes one of the most important economical resources of Argentina, with an annual catch of around 850,000 t. The fishery management requires knowledge on the reproductive biology of the species. To estimate fish biomass, most assessment models use information about reproductive parameters such as length at maturity, fecundity or spawning frequency. Annual changes on these variables could affect the stock fecundity and produce variability on the recruitment of fishes.    This review summarises some of the reproductive aspects of four commercial fishes that inhabit different environments in argentine waters (Micromesistius australis), (Engraulis anchoita), (Merluccius hubbsi ) and (Micropogonias furnieri).The objectives of this paper are to describe spawning pattern and reproductive cycle of these species and to estimate reproductive parameters such as fecundity, spawning frequency and length at maturity.