Thumbnail Image

Atlas of the maturity stages of Mediterranean fishery resources

Year of publication 2019

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 268 p.

Author Follesa,C., Carbonara, P. (eds.)

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Book (series)

ISBN 978-92-5-131172-1

Series title Studies and reviews (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean)

Series number No. 99

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) This atlas stems from an experience on fish maturity staging carried out at the Mediterranean level. It aims to present sound approaches to maturity sampling for a wide range of Mediterranean species, based on an accurate and precise determination of the different maturity stages. It includes macroscopic photos of gonads belonging to the main species, and for some of them, a validation-based histological analysis is also presented. The main categories investigated in the atlas are bony fish, cartilaginous fish, both oviparous and viviparous, crustaceans and cephalopods. Maturity is one of the most relevant biological parameters used in stock assessment programmes. Indeed, the macroscopic stage of gonadal development is an essential feature in estimating the maturity ogive and spawning stock biomass. It is also useful for determining the spawning season of a species and for monitoring long-term changes in the spawning cycle, as well as for many other research needs related to the biology of fish. In current data collection programmes carried out in the Mediterranean which cover extensive samplings of maturity stages, some specific technical aspects have not always been taken into consideration, and collected data cannot reach the required precision levels. Also, the coding schemes in use and the uncertainty in the interpretation of particular stages can give rise to misinterpretations of the actual maturity stage leading to inaccurate spawning stock biomass estimations. Several stock assessments are therefore based on time-invariant maturity ogives and only partially cover the spatial distribution of the stocks. Hence, on several occasions, the need has been expressed to improve the identification of the macroscopic maturity stages through a standardization of operational procedures and terminology. Hence, one of the solutions for overcoming these problems was to develop an atlas of the macroscopic and histological maturity stages of the main species of commercial interest in the Mediterranean.

Statutory body / Meeting title General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM)

Read on Google Books and buy online

Language English

Also available in:
No results found.

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

  • No Thumbnail Available
  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (series)
    Allocated zones for aquaculture - A guide for the establishment of coastal zones dedicated to aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea 2019
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    This guide is a collection of concepts and practical information aimed at facilitating the establishment of allocated zones for aquaculture (AZAs) in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. It provides detailed information on the process involved in the establishment of an AZA and it is intended as a practical and comprehensive tool to better understand site selection and planning for aquaculture. This publication first provides a brief overview of the international and regional context, and reviews the institutional and legal framework related to AZAs at various levels. Sequential explanations on the AZA establishment process as well as suggestions for the main steps are then presented. The step-by-step approach for the establishment of AZAs takes into account a number of specific aspects, such as geographic information system tools, exclusion criteria and stakeholder participation, the main actors to be involved, the role of relevant authorities in charge of geographical and/or marine aquaculture planning, statutory responsibilities, prevention and resolution of possible conflicts, and decision-making. The guide also describes the objectives and contents of AZA management plans and presents the parameters to be used as reference points for the AZA implementation. It is addressed to decision-makers from relevant bodies and administrations, governmental and non-governmental organizations, scientific research institutions, aquaculture producers and fishing communities, as well as other relevant stakeholders involved in aquaculture activities, coastal development, and in the use of the aquatic environment and resources.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (stand-alone)
    The living marine resources of the Western Central Atlantic. Volume 3. Bony fishes part 2 (Ophistognathidae to Molidae) sea turtles and marine mammals 2002
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    This is the third of a three volumes field guide that covers the species of interest to fisheries of the major marine resources groups exploited in the Western Central Atlantic. The area of coverage includes FAO Fishing Area 31. The marine resources groups included in this volume are the Bony fishes part 2 Ophistognathidae to Molidae) sea turtles and marine mammals. The introductory chapter outlines the environmental, ecological and biogeographical factors influencing the marine biota and the ba sic components of the fisheries in the Western Central Atlantic. See also other volumes related to this series:
Show more

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

No results found.