Reproductive cycle of the blue jack mackerel, Trachurus picturatus (Bowdich, 1825), off the Portuguese continental coast

Abstract

This work provides for the first time a description of the reproductive biology of Trachurus picturatus in Portuguese continental waters (between 41° 49′ and 36° 57′ latitude North). From January 2010 to December 2016 a total of 7409 individuals were sampled from bottom trawlers operating on the northwestern coast of Portugal. The observed sex ratio was 0.56 in favor of the females. Monthly variations in gonadosomatic index, proportion of actively spawning individuals, hepatosomatic index and Fulton′s condition factor were analyzed. More than 60% of spawning individuals were recorded in the first quarter, corresponding to the highest values of GSI, and Fulton's K and hepatosomatic index increased after the start of spawning. The morphometric relationships between total length and gutted weight showed significant correlations (high determination coefficient, r2 > 0.9) and isometric growth (b = 3) for both sexes. Results indicate that the spawning season of T. picturatus starts in December and extends until April–May, with a peak in March, which agrees with what has been indicated by other authors for the northeast Atlantic. This work provides important biological information on a species that although not subject to stock assessment is currently the 5th species landed by weight in Portuguese continental waters.

Keywords

• trachurus picturatus
• spawning season
• portuguese coast
• blue jack mackerel