Reproductive Biology of Ethmalosa fimbriata (Bowdich) in Senegalese Coastal Waters

Abstract

Ethmalosa fimbriata is a very abundant species in marine and estuarine waters of Senegal. It is caught only by artisanal fisheries. Some aspects of its reproduction are studied in order to provide some contribution to a rational and sustainable management of the fishery. To evaluate the reproduction of Ethmalosa fimbriata, the sex ratio, the size at first maturity, the evolution of sexual maturity stages and the gonadosomatic index (GSI) were used. The results show that the sex ratio is 46% of males and 54% of females in the estuary while at sea it is 42% of males against 58% of females. Size at first maturity is 16.2 cm for males and 17.5 cm for females in the estuary, while at sea these sizes are respectively equal to 17.2 and 18.7 cm for females and males. The main breeding periods are during the cold season in the estuary and the hot season at sea. Ethmalosa fimbriata is a species with small eggs and high fecundity. The absolute and relative fecundity are higher in the estuary than at sea.