Growth and Status Stock, of The Sardine Sardina Pilchardus (Walbaum, 1792) Among the Moroccan Atlantic Center-Case of Agadir Bay

Abstract

The objective of the present study being to study the biology and the exploitation of the sardine Sardina pilchardus fished at the level of the region of Agadir. The study of biology was approached by analyzing the growth and reproduction of the species. The study showed the importance of the landings of sardine (fish of great commercial value). Knowledge of these parameters is essential for a good analysis of population dynamics and for rational and sustainable management of these stocks. The growth study has shown that sardines are fast growing and have a short shelf life. Differential growth between males and females has been observed. The study of the linear growth of combined sex sardines and the model of Von Bertalanffy, revealed that: the growth coefficient „‘k’ ‘is 0.311. The asymptotic length L ∞ is 226.402 mm. Sardines are multiple spawners that spawn several times during the same breeding season. It is noted that the sex ratio is in favor of the males and it seems that the sexual cycle, the size and the geographical distribution are the essential factors which control the variations of the sex ratio in sardines. The large individuals are generally females and the size at first sexual maturity in sardine females has been estimated at L50 = 131.33 mm in total length. Kewords: