Reproductive strategy of common dentex Dentex dentex: management implications

Abstract

Common dentex Dentex dentex is an iconic endangered species in the Mediterranean where is a sought after target species for small-scale, recreational and spearfishing fisheries. The reproductive biology of D. dentex in the natural environment is poorly known; therefore the reproductive strategy of the species was assessed by combining reproductive traits with the growth characteristics (estimated from length-at-age data), the size/age of sexual maturity and the energetic dynamics. A total of 358 wild fish were sampled on Mallorca Island (W Mediterranean) from March 1996 to June 1999 with a 19 to 84.7 cm total length (LT) range. The sex ratio was skewed towards females (1.361) albeit the length composition was not different between sexes (p = 0.551). Three young immature individuals (

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