GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION PARAMETERS FOR SARDINE SARDINELLA AURITA, IN SOUTHEAST ISLA MARGARITA, VENEZUELA

Abstract

In Venezuela, the sardine (Sardinella aurita) is considered a strategic resource because it represents a supply of low-cost protein and supports the most important socio-economic artisanal fisheries of the country. Therefore, the objectives of this research were to estimate the sardine growth parameters and reproductive aspects, fundamental in its fisheries management and evaluation. 3960 individuals were collected of the commercial catches with the “chinchorro sardinero” from the southwest of Margarita’s, from January to December 2003. The asymptotic length (L∞=26 cm) and the coefficient of growth (K=1.1 year-1) were estimated with the routine ELEFAN I from the package “FiSAT”, indicating a growth index Ø’ of 2.87. The overall sexual proportion of female to male was 1.2:1.0. The most intensive reproductive seasons were observed between January-March and July-December, however a continuous spawning was observed along the year. Our results provide enough evidence to conclude that the resource still has fast growth and sustained reproduction. The sexual maturity length was estimated in 19.8 cm and we recommended that length-average in the catches in order to properly manage the resource.