Seasonal Length–Weight Relationships of European Sea Bass (<i>Dicentrarchus labrax</i>) in Two Aquaculture Production Systems

Abstract

Different non-intrusive methods have been developed to estimate fish biomass, which is a determinant factor for aquaculture farming management. Length–weight conversion is a crucial parameter for accurate biomass estimation. However, the potential environmental and seasonal variations in fish length–weight relationships are rarely considered. In this study, we examined seasonal variation in length–weight relationships for European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) from two farming systems subject to different salinity and temperature conditions: inland ponds and offshore cages. The results showed significant differences in intercept and slope between the two types of facilities studied, as well as between the same seasons for both facilities. This highlights the need to use specific length–weight equations to obtain accurate biomass estimation based on fish length data.

Keywords

• seasonal changes
• length–weight relationship
• <i>Dicentrarchus labrax</i>
• biomass estimation
• aquaculture