Population structure, reproduction, age and growth of Atlantic mackerel, Scomber scombrus L. in the Adriatic Sea

Abstract

      Atlantic mackerel, Scomber scombrus L. biological data were collected monthly between 1991 and 1993 from Croatian fishing grounds in the eastern part of the Adriatic Sea. The catch variation of this pelagic species from the period 1950-1992 was presented as well.

    Mean length at age data, derived using otolith readings of 1048 specimens were used to estimate the growth parameters of the von BERTALANFFY equation: L_∞= 42.0 cm, K = 0.37 year^-1 and t₀ = -0.5. Growth-performance index Φ= 2.8146. Growth rings were read to 9 years: from 0 to 8+ years. Weight-length relationship was W = 0.0014 L_S 3.6036. The mean cubic condition factor (K’) was calculated to be K’ = 0.8434, and empiric (C) condition factor as C = 0.1193.