Climate-induced life cycle and growth variations of neon flying squid(Ommastrephes bartramii)in the North Pacific Ocean

Climate change has had large impacts on marine animals,including neon flying squid Ommastrephes bartramii(O.bartramii)in the North Pacific Ocean.O.bartramii statoliths from 2012,2015,and 2016 were used to evaluate the variations in life cycle events.The relationship between mantle length and body weight showed significant differences between years and gender.The oldest squid was collected in 2016 at 271 days old,further proving that O.bartramii has nearly a 1-year life span.The hatching season ranged from December to May and the peak hatching time in 2015 was one-half month later than in 2012 and 2016.Growth rates varied with environmental factors such as sea surface temperature(SST)and chlorophyll a concentration(chl.a),indicating that higher SST and chl.a concentrations led to faster growth.An extreme El Ni˜no event with lower SST in 2015 also led to younger age class and slower growth rates.The occurrence of differences in body size and growth rates between years,caused by the interannual variations of environmental factors,makes it necessary to use separate growth curves for different years when analyzing North Pacific O.Bartramii populations.

Age,growth and length-weight relationship of the white skate,Rostroraja alba(Linnaeus,1758)(Chondrichthyans:Rajidae),from the Gulf of Gabes(Tunisia,Central Mediterranean)

Objective:To investigate the length distribution,sex ratio,length-weight relationship,age and growth of Rostroraja alba in the Gulf of Gabes.Methods:This study estimated age and growth of the white skate,Rostroraja alba by counting vertebral band pairs from 112 specimens taken by commercial fisheries during 2006-2009 from the Gulf of Gabes(Southern Tunisia,Central Mediterranean Sea).Results:This is the first and only known information in regards to the age and growth of this species in Tunisia.Vertebra diameter was strongly correlated with total length and age,which were expressed by linear or cubic regression equations.The oldest female in this study was 35 years and 160 cm,whereas the oldest male was 32 years and 150 cm.The von Bertalanffy growth parameters were TL_(∞)=(202.26±3.40)cm,K=(0.040±0.038)/year and t_(0)=(1.84±0.01)10^(-1)/year for females and TL_(∞)=(198.60±3.61)cm,K=(0.060±0.076)/year and t_(0)=(1.28±0.04)/year for males.Conclusions:This study would be an effective tool for fishery biologists,managers and conservationists to initiate management strategies and regulations for the sustainable conservation of the remaining stocks of this species in the Gulf of Gabes(Southern Tunisia)ecosystem.

Age,growth and length-weight relationship of the rough skate,Raja radula(Linnaeus,1758)(Chondrichthyans:Rajidae),from the Gulf of Gabes(Tunisia,Central Mediterranean)

Objective:To investigate the length distribution,sex ratio,length-weight relationship,age and growth of Raja radula in the Gulf of Gabes.Methods:The age and growth characteristic of the rough skate(Raja radula)inhabiting in the Gulf of Gabes(Central Mediterranean Sea)was determined.A total of 1250 specimens were sampled.According to the marginal increment band its growth was annual.Results:The growth parameters were derived by using the von-Bertalanffy method and were separately evaluated as follows:TL∞=97.2 cm,K=0.15 y^(-1),t_(o)=0.35,and W_(∞)=5.28 kg,and TL∞=76.4 cm,K=0.22 y^(-1),to=0.16,and W∞=3.77 kg,for females and males respetively.The maximum age was 12 years for females and 10 years for males.Conclusions:Results from this research will provide a starting point to develop a management plan for the rough skate in the Gulf of Gabes.Further investigations are necessary to quantify the impact of the existing regulations on the population dynamics and recruitment patterns of this species in the region.

Fisheries management of round sardinella Sardinella aurita along North Sinai coast

Objective:To estimate the biological and population parameters required for proposing a preparation to sustain and manage this valuable fish resource.Methods:Aging was done by scales reading,and growth was estimated by using the back-calculation method.The values of growth parameters L_(∞),k and t_(o)were calculated by von Bertalanffy model.Results:The results of growth parameters L_(∞),k and t_(o)were 28.36 cm,0.184 per year and-0.8437 per year,respectively.Mortality coefficient,survival and exploitation rates estimated to perceive yield per recruit and biomass per recruit.Conclusions:Biological reference points and virtual population analysis were prepared to plan appropriate managements forSardinella aurita fisheries.