Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Fisheries and stock assessment of the European hake in GSA 04 zone (Algerian eastern coast) - tools for fisheries management and conservation

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Biologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

There is evidence that the European hake is one of the main target species of demersal fisheries in the Western Mediterranean and has been widely exploited for decades; the potential for overfishing is very high. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the stock assessment and the age validation of European hake (Merluccius merluccius Linnaeus, 1758) in the GFCM/GSA 04 (Algerian eastern coast) in order to provide a management strategies and effective control measures. A total of 662 hake specimens were sampled from commercial landings from January 2021 to December 2021. The sex ratio was in favor of females (54.8%) but there were no differences in mean lengths between sexes. The estimated total mortality rate (Z) and the natural mortality (M) were 1.48 year− 1 and 0.41 year− 1, respectively. The estimated instantaneous rate of fishing mortality (F) was calculated as 1.06 years− 1, with an exploitation ratio of 0.72, which suggests that the stock in GSA 04 area could be overexploited (E > 0.5). The fishing mortality rate F = 1.06 is higher than the fishing mortality for maximum sustainable yield (Fmax = 0.43) corresponding to the fisheries mortality rate factor that maximizes equilibrium yield per recruit; hence the hazard ratio of the stock is being overfished. To limit the risk of stock collapse, adjustment of the Fcurrent fishing effort factor to F0.1 (0.29) is essential, it should be reduced by 77% the fishing effort to increase by long term exploitable biomasses of hake stock and allow the renewal of the resource. The findings reported here provide new key instruments for the stock assessment of this species and thus contribute to it conservation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adamidou A, Pardalou A, Tsikliras AC (2020) Length-weight relationships of 31 fish and invertebrate species in the northern Aegean Sea (Eastern Mediterranean Sea). Thalassas 36:303–307. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41208-020-00207-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson CN, Hsieh C-h, Sandin SA, Hewitt R, Hollowed A, Beddington J, May RM, Sugihara G (2008) Why fishing magnifies fluctuations in fish abundance. Nature 452:835–839. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature06851

  • Belhoucine F, Pierson PM, Alioua A (2022) Characterization of the reproduction of European hake (Merluccius merluccius Linnaeus, 1758) in Oran bay. Appl Ecol Environ Res 20(2):947–965. https://doi.org/10.15666/aeer/2002_947965

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bellido JM, Pierce GJ, Romero JL, Millán M (2000) Use of frequency analysis methods to estimate growth of anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus L. 1758) in the Gulf of Cádiz (SW Spain). Fish Res 48:107–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-7836(00)00183-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouaziz A, Semroud R, Djabali F, Maurin C (1998) Estimation de la croissance du merlu Merluccius merluccius (Linnaeus, 1758) de la région centre de la côte algérienne par analyse des fréquences de tailles. Cah Opt Medit 35:35–41

    Google Scholar 

  • Candelma M, Marisaldi L, Bertotto D, Radaelli G, Gioacchini G, Santojanni A, Carnevali O (2021) Aspects of reproductive biology of the European hake (Merluccius merluccius) in the northern and central Adriatic Sea (GSA 17-Central Mediterranean Sea). J Mar Sci Eng 9(4):389. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9040389

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carpentieri P, Colloca F, Cardinale M, Belluscio A, Ardizzone GD (2005) Feeding habits of European hake (Merluccius merluccius) in the central Mediterranean Sea. Fish Bull 103(2):411–416

    Google Scholar 

  • Cartes JE, Hidalgo M, Papiol V, Massutí E, Morante J (2009) Changes in the diet and feeding of the hake Merluccius merluccius at the shelf-break of the Balearic Islands: influence of the mesopelagic-boundary community. Deep Res Part I Oceanogr Res Pap 56:344–365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2008.09.009

  • Casey J, Pereiro J (1995) European hake (M. merluccius) in the north-east Atlantic. In: Alheit J, Pitcher, TJ (eds) Hake: Fisheries, Ecology and Markets. Chapman and Hall, London, Fish Fish Ser 15, pp 125–147. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-1300-7_5

  • Courbin N, Fablet R, Mellon C, de Pontual H (2007) Are hake otolith macrostructures randomly deposited? Insights from an unsupervised statistical and quantitative approach applied to Mediterranean hake otoliths. ICES J Mar Sci 64(6):1191–1201. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsm083

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Djabali F, Boudraa S, Bouhdid A, Bousbia H, Bouchelaghem EH, Brahmi B, Dob M, Derdiche O, Djekrir F, Kadri L, Mammasse M, Stambouli A, Tehami B (1991) Travaux réalisés sur les stocks pélagiques et démersaux de la région de Béni-Saf. FAO Fish Rep 447:160–165

    Google Scholar 

  • Djabali F, Mechailia A, Koudil M, Brahmi B (1994) A reassessment of equations for predicting natural mortality in Mediterranean teleosts. Naga ICLARM Q 17:33–341

  • El Bouzidi C, Abid N, Awadh H, Bakkali M, Zerrouk MH (2022) Growth and mortality of the European hake Merluccius merluccius (Linnaeus, 1758) from the north of Moroccan Atlantic coasts. Egypt J Aquat Res. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejar.2021.12.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • FAO (2007) Report of the tenth session of the Scientific Advisory Committee. Nicosia, Cyprus, 22–26 October 2007/Rapport de la dixième session du Comité scientifique consultatif. Nicosie, Chypre, 22–26 octobre 2007. FAO Fisheries Report/FAO Rapport sur les pêches No 856. Rome FAO. https://www.fao.org/3/a1579b/a1579b00.htm (Accessed May 2020)

  • FAO (2014) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Fisheries and Aquaculture Department. https://www.fao.org/fishery/en/global-search?q=%20species%20%202238%20en&=en (Accessed 14 Sept 2018)

  • FAO (2017) Food and Agriculture Organization of the United States Fisheries and Aquaculture (2017). http://www.fao.org/fishery/en (Accessed 18 July 2017)

  • FAO, Report of the FAO Scientific Advisory Committee on Fisheries (SAC) Working Group on Stock Assessment of Small Pelagic Species (WGSASP) (2017b). Rome, Italy,13–18 November 2017. https://www.fao.org/gfcm/reports/technical-meetings/%20detail/en/c/1107436 (Accessed December 2020)

  • FAO (2019) Fishery statistical collections global capture production 1950–2016. http://www.fao.org/fishery/statistics/global-capture-production/query/en (Accessed 6 Febr 2019)

  • Fontana A, Pianet R (1973) Biologie des sardinelles, sardinella eba (val.) Et sardinella aurita (val.) Des côtes du Congo et du Gabon. Doc Sci Cent Rech Océanogr Abidjan 31:1–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Froese R (2006) Cube law, condition factor, and weight-length relationships: history, meta-analysis, and recommendations. J Appl Ichthyol 22:241–253. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0426.2006.00805.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Froese R, Winker H, Coro G, Demirel N, Tsikliras AC, Dimarchopoulou D, Pauly D (2019) On the pile-up effect and priors for Linf and M/K: response to a comment by Hordyk on “A new approach for estimating stock status from length frequency data”. ICES J Mar Sci 76(2):461–465. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsy199

  • García Rodríguez M, Esteban A (2002) How fast does hake grow? A study on the Mediterranean hake (Merluccius merluccius L.) comparing whole otoliths readings and length frequency distribution data. Sci Mar 66(2):145–156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Godinho ML, Afonso MH, Morgado C (2001) Age and growth of hake Merluccius merluccius (L., 1758), from the northeast Atlantic (ICES division Ixa. Bol Inst Esp Oceanogr 17:255–262

    Google Scholar 

  • Goicochea Vigo C, Wosnitza-Mendo C (2012) Crecimiento de la merluza peruana (Merluccius gayi) y tabla de conversión para claves edad/talla. Inf Inst Mar Perú 39(1–2):136–137

    Google Scholar 

  • Grote B, Stenevik EK, Ekau W, Verheye HM, Lipiński MR, Hagen W (2012) Spawning strategies and transport of early stages of the two Cape hake species, Merlucciusparadoxus and M. capensis, in the southern Benguela upwelling system. Afr J Mar Sci 34(2): 195–204. https://doi.org/10.2989/1814232X.2012.675040

  • Gül G, Murat-Dalkara E, Yüksek A, Demirel N (2019) Age and growth of European hake, Merluccius merluccius in the Sea of Marmara. COMU J Mar Sci Fish 2(2):147–154

    Google Scholar 

  • Haddon M (2011) Modelling and quantitative methods in fisheries (2nd edn). Chapman and Hall/CRC, Boca Raton FL, New York. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781439894170

  • Horn PL (1997) An ageing methodology, growth parameters and estimates of mortality for hake (Merluccius australis) from around the South Island, New Zealand. Mar Fresh Res 48(3):201–209. https://doi.org/10.1071/MF96091

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hossain MY, Sayed SRM, Mosaddequr Rahman M, Ali MM, Hossen MA, Elgorban AM, Ahmed ZF, Ohtomi J (2015) Length–weight relationships of nine fish species from the Tetulia River, southern Bangladesh. J Appl Ichthyol 31(5):967–969. https://doi.org/10.1111/jai.12823

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ICES (2013) Report of the Working Group on the Assessment of Southern Shelf Stocks of Hake, Monk and Megrim (WGHMM). ICES HQ: ICES CM 2013/ACOM 11 A, Copenhagen

  • ICES (2018) International Council for the exploration of the Sea Report of the Working Group for the Bay of Biscay and the Iberian Waters Ecoregion (WGBIE). ICES HQ; ICES CM/ACOM, Copenhagen

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones R (1984) Assessing the effects of changes in exploitation pattern using length composition data (with notes on VP A and cohort analysis). FAO Fish Tech Pap 256:118

    Google Scholar 

  • Kahraman AE, Yildiz T, Uzer U, Karakulak FS (2017) Age composition, growth and mortality of European hake Merluccius merluccius (Linnaeus, 1758) (Actinopterygii: Merlucciidae) from the Sea of Marmara, Turkey. Acta Zool Bulg 69(3):377–384

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenchington TJ (2014) Natural mortality estimators for information-limited fisheries. Fish Fish 15(4):533–562. https://doi.org/10.1111/faf.12027

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khoufi W, Dufour JL, Jaziri H, Elfegri S, Elleboode R, Bellamy E, Ben Meriem S, Romdhane MS, Mahé K (2014) Growth estimation of Merluccius merluccius off the northern coast of Tunisia. Cybium 38(1):53–59

    Google Scholar 

  • Khoufi W, Ferreri R, Jaziri H, El Fehri S, Gargano A, Mangano S, Ben Meriem S, Romdhane MS, Bonanno A, Aronica S, Genovese S, Mazzola S, Basilone G (2014) Reproductive traits and seasonal variability of Merluccius merluccius from the Tunisian coast. J Mar Biol Assoc UK 94(7):1545–1556. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315414000356

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Le Grand M (1960) Longueur répartition des sexes et maturation sexuelle des thons à nageoire jaune de Nouvelle calédonie. Rap Sci Inst Franc Océan Il: 6–20

  • Li Q, Xu R, Huang J (2013) Length–weight relations for 20 fish species from the Pearl River, China. Acta Ichthyol Piscat 43(1):65–69. https://doi.org/10.3750/AIP2013.43.1.09

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lloris D, Matallanas J, Oliver P (2005) Hakes of the world (Family Merlucciidae): an annotated and illustrated catalogue of hake species known to date. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Species Catalogue 2, Italy, pp 1–59

  • Ma L, Zhang N (2010) Measurement of outflow rate and degradation from rumen of commonly used feeds for roe deer. J Jilin Agric Univ 32(1):95–99

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mellon-Duval C, De Pontual H, Métral L, Quemener L (2010) Growth of European hake (Merluccius merluccius) in the Gulf of Lions based on conventional tagging. ICES J Mar Sci 67:62–70. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsp215

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mildenberger TK, Taylor MH, Wolff M (2017) TropFishR: an R package for fisheries analysis with length-frequency data. Methods Ecol Evol 8(11):1520–1527. https://doi.org/10.1111/fme.12232

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morales-Nin B, Aldebert Y (1997) Growth of juvenile Merluccius merluccius in the Gulf of Lions (NW Mediterranean) based on otolith microstructure and length-frequency analysis. Fish Res 30(1–2):77–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-7836(96)00553-X

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morales-Nin B, Moranta J (2004) Recruitment and post-settlement growth of juvenile Merluccius merluccius on the western Mediterranean shelf. Sci Mar 63:399–409. https://doi.org/10.3989/scimar.2004.68n3399

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morales-Nin B, Panfili J (2005) Seasonality in the deep sea and tropics revisited: what can otoliths tell us? Mar Fresh Res 56(5):585–598. https://doi.org/10.1071/MF04150

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murua H, Motos L (2006) Reproductive strategy and spawning activity of the European hake Merluccius merluccius (L.) in the Bay of Biscay. J Fish Biol 69(5):1288–1303. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2006.01169.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Orsi Relini L, Papaconstantinou C, Jukic-Peladic S, Souplet A, Gil de Sola L, Piccinetti C, Kavadas S, Rossi M (2002) Distribution of the Mediterranean hake populations (Merluccius merluccius smiridus Rafinesque, 1810) (Osteichthyes: Gadiformes) based on six years monitoring by trawl-surveys: some implications for management. Sci Mar 66(suppl 2):21–38. https://doi.org/10.3989/scimar.2002.66s221

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Panfili J, Pontual H, de Troadec H, Wright PJ (2002) Manuel de sclérochronologie des poisons. Ifremer-IRD Coédition, Brest, France. https://doi.org/10.4000/books.irdeditions.20901

  • Pauly D (1983) Length-converted catch curves: a powerful tool for fisheries research in the tropics (part 1). ICLARM Fishbyte 1(2):9–13

    Google Scholar 

  • Pauly D (1984) Fish population dynamics in tropical waters: a manual for use with programmable calculators. ICLARM Stud Rev 8:325

    Google Scholar 

  • Pauly D, Munro JL (1984) Once more on the comparison of growth in fish and invertebrates. ICLARM Fishbyte 2(1):1–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Pauly D, ChristensenV, Dalsgaard J, Froese R, Torres FC Jr (1998) Fishing down marine food webs. Science (Washington, D.C.), 279: 860–863

  • Philips A, Ragheb E (2013) Reproductive biology of European hake Merluccius merluccius (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Egyptian Mediterranean waters. Egypt J Aquat Biol Fish 17(4):37–47. https://doi.org/10.21608/ejabf.2013.2184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Philips AE (2014) Age composition of the European hake Merluccius merluccius Linnaeus, 1758 from the Egyptian Mediterranean waters off Alexandria. Egypt J Aquat Res 40(2):163–169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejar.2014.06.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piñeiro C, Saínza M (2003) Age estimation, growth and maturity of the European hake (Merluccius merluccius Linnaeus, 1758) from Iberian Atlantic waters. ICES J Mar Sci 60(5): 1086–1102. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1054-3139(03)00086-99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Postel E (1955) Contributions à l’étude de la biologie de quelques Scombridae de l’Atlantique tropico-oriental. Ann Stn Océanogr 10(3):168

    Google Scholar 

  • Rahman MAU, Chander PM, Lyla PS, Khan SA (2016) Growth and stock estimation of Greenback Mullet, Liza subviridis (Valenciennes, 1836) from Parangipettai Waters (Southeast Coast of India). Thalassas 32(1):43–50. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41208-015-0005-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rey J, Fernández-Peralta L, García A, Nava E, Clemente MC, Otero P, Piñeiro CG (2016) Otolith microstructure analysis reveals differentiated growth histories in sympatric black hakes (Merluccius polli and Merluccius senegalensis). Fish Res 179:280–290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2016.03.020

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ricker WE (1975) Computation and interpretation of biological statistics of fish populations. Bull Fish Res Bd Can 191:1–382

    Google Scholar 

  • Saleh M, Soegianto A (2017) Length–weight relations of pelagic fish species from eastern region of Java Sea, Indonesia. Acta Ichthyol Piscat 47(3):307–309. https://doi.org/10.3750/AIEP/02168

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santos MN, Gaspar M, Monteiro CC, Erzini K (2003) Gill net selectivity for European hake Merluccius merluccius from southern Portugal: implications for fishery management. Fish Sci 69(5):873–882. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1444-2906.2003.00702.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santos R, Peixoto UI, Medeiros-Leal W, Sequeira RM, Novoa-Pabon A, Pinho M (2022) Demographics and Yield–Per–Recruit Assessment of the vulnerable spiny lobster Palinurus elephas in the Azores—Implications for Conservation and Fisheries Management. Biol 11(3):474. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11030474

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soykan O, Ilkyaz AT, Metin G, Kinacigil HT (2015) Age, growth and reproduction of European hake (Merluccius merluccius Linnaeus,1758) in the central Aegean Sea, Turkey. J Mar Biolog Assoc UK 95(4):829–837. https://doi.org/10.1017/S002531541400201X

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sparre P, Venema SC (1992) Introduction to tropical fish stock assessment. Part 1. Manual. FAO Fish Tech Pap 306(1):376

    Google Scholar 

  • Sparre P, Venema SC (1998) Introduction to the tropical fish stock assessment. Part 1. Manual. FAO Fish Tech Pap 306(2):407

    Google Scholar 

  • Stéquert B (1976) Etude de la maturité sexuelle, de la ponte et de la fécondité du listao (Katsuwonus pelamis) de la côte nord-ouest de Madagascar. Cah ORSTOM Sér Océan 14(3):227–247

    Google Scholar 

  • Stratoudakis Y, Bernal M, Uriarte A (2004) The DEPM estimation of spawning-stock biomass for sardine and anchovy. International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. ICES Coop Res Rep 268(i).Spain, pp 93

  • Then AY, Hoenig JM, Norman GH, Hewitt DA (2015) Evaluating the predictive performance of empirical estimators of natural mortality rate using information on over 200 fish species. ICES J Mar Sci 72:82–92. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsu136

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson R (1934) The Liberty Bell and other anti-slavery gift-books. New Engl Q 7(1):154–168

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tidu C, Sardá R, Pinna M, Cannas A, Meloni MF, Lecca E, Savarino R (2004) Morphometric relationships of the European spiny lobster Palinurus elephas from northwestern Sardinia. Fish Res 69:371–379. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2004.06.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Torcu-Koc H, Türker Cakır D, Dulcic J (2004) Age, growth and mortality of the comber, Serranus cabrilla (Serranidae) in the Edremit Bay (NW Aegean Sea, Turkey). Cybium Int J Ichthyol 28(1):19–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Uçkun D, Togulga M, Taskavak E (2000) A preliminary study on the growth of the common hake (Merluccius merluccius L., 1758) in Izmir Bay, Aegean Sea. Acta Adriat 41(2):25–34. https://doi.org/10.32582/aa.41.2.10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Uzer U, Öztürk B, Yildiz T (2019) Age composition, growth, and mortality of European hake Merluccius merluccius (Actinopterygii: Gadiformes: Merlucciidae) from the northern Aegean Sea, Turkey. Acta Ichthyol Piscat 49(2):109–117. https://doi.org/10.3750/AIEP/02465

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weatherley AH, Gill HS (1987) Growth increases produced by bovine growth hormone in grass pickerel, Esox americanus vermiculatus (Le Sueur), and the underlying dynamics of muscle fiber growth. Aquaculture 65(1):55–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/0044-8486(87)90270-5

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marine Science Department, Faculty of Sciences, Chadli Bendjedid University, El Tarf, Algeria

    Sarra Kouadria & Mardja Tahri

  2. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Pollution Research Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Chadli Bendjedid University, El Tarf, Algeria

    Sarra Kouadria

  3. EMMAL ‘Ecobiology of Marine and Coastal Environments’ Laboratory, Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba, Algeria

    Sarra Kouadria

Authors
  1. Sarra Kouadria
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mardja Tahri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

MT designed the methodology; SK collected the data; MT and SK wrote and revised the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mardja Tahri.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kouadria, S., Tahri, M. Fisheries and stock assessment of the European hake in GSA 04 zone (Algerian eastern coast) - tools for fisheries management and conservation. Biologia 78, 2073–2083 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11756-023-01320-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11756-023-01320-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation