Some ecological aspects of juvenile anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus L.) under the estuarine conditions (Novigrad Sea – Central Eastern Adriatic)

Abstract

        Some ecological aspects of 2574 juvenile anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus specimens were studied using monthly purse-seine samples of catches from August 1989 to March 1991, from the Novigrad Sea and the Karin Sea (central part of the Adriatic). Anchovy attained first sexual matu­rity at the end of their first year of life. Fifty per cent maturity was reached at 9.0 cm of total length (logistic model). At 11.5 cm the whole anchovy population is sexually mature. The length-weight relationship for all fish was described by the following parameters: a = 0.0038; b = 3.1939 (r² = 0.99); positive allometry was established. The mean length - at age values varied between 4.2 cm (age of four months) to 10.6 cm (age of one year). The von BERTALANFFY growth parameters of juvenile anchovy were estimated as L_∞ = 13.2 cm total length, K = 0.82 per year and t₀ = -0.5.