Size at maturity, fecundity and spawning period of anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus (Linnaeus, 1758) in the central area of the Moroccan Atlantic coast

Abstract

This study was conducted in order to investigate reproductive parameters of anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus (Linnaeus, 1758) in the central area of the Moroccan Atlantic coast, from January to December 2016. The data analysis based on a total of 1633 collected fish suggest that 850 and 783 were females and males respectively with an average male sex-ratio of 46.51% (χ2= 2.74; P > 0.05). The Gonado-somatic index (GSI) indicated that spawning activity occurred from April to November exhibiting the highest value between June and August. The size at first sexual maturity was approximately the same for both sexes and corresponds to 10.5 cm. The fecundity estimated varied from 7323 to 21230 and was positively correlated to the fish length and weight. This study was necessary to fill the knowledge gap and provide information for the management and conservation of the investigated species in this area.