Reproductive Traits and Somatic Growth of Diplodus sargus sargus (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Central Algerian Coast (Southern Mediterranean Sea)

Abstract

This work provides useful knowledge on the reproductive traits and somatic growth of the white seabream (Diplodus sargus sargus Linnaeus, 1758) of the central sector of the Algerian coast. It aimed to estimate the maximum yield size of this sparid and evaluate its reproductive potential, by presenting the first results on its global fecundity. A total of 497 specimens, ranging in size from 12.4 to 40.3 cm, were monthly and randomly sampled from the artisanal fishery fleet, between January and December 2017. The obtained length-weight relationships indicated negative allometry for males (TW=0.024 TL2.842) and isometry for females (TW=0.016 TL3.013). The white seabream is a digynic protandrous hermaphrodite species. Sex reversal was observed with a large size overlap of 12 to 32 cm with a median of 23.5 cm. The reproductive season was observed from January to May and spawning occurred in spring. The size at first sexual maturity (TL50) was 20.55 cm for both sexes. Based on these results, the current legal minimum size of capture should be raised in the study area.