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Occurence, structure, growth and first sexual maturity of sardine, Sardina pilchardus (walb., 1792) in the Krka river estuary

A total of 1, 245 specimens of sardine, Sardina pilchardus (Walb., 1792), were obtained by random sampling from the Krka river estuary which is a nursery ground for sardine. Sardine were caught by beach seine. Representative samples were collected monthly according to their occurence in this area from October to February during 2002/03, 2003/04 and 2004/05 (spawning period). Monthly fluctuations in the length frequency distributions of sardine were observed. Total length were in range from 4.9 to 12.5 cm (mean 8.31&#61617; 1.41)cm). The minimum and maximum weights recorded were 1.02g and 11.18g (mean 4.40&#61617; 1.87g)respectively. Length-weight relationship of sardine was described by the expression W= 0.0068 L 2.9746 (R2 = 0.9588) ; isometric relative growth was established (t=3.159 ; P<0.001). Allometric condition factor (Ka) of sardine specimens, which ranged from 7.5 and 10.5 cm during all three periods of investigation (spawning period), was analysed and showed the highest values at the beginning of autumn, especially during 2002/03 period. Condition coefficient decreased later on to the lowest values which was noted in February. The minimal length at first maturity of these species was 7.1 cm of total length (male). L50 was 8.0 cm and L100 11.5 cm. Highly significant correlation was found (R2=0.955 ; SD=0.9766).

Occurence; Structure; Growth; First sexual maturity; Sardina pilchardus; Adriatic Sea

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