Life history of the red porgy Pagrus pagrus (Teleostei: Sparidae) off the Canary Islands, central east Atlantic

Abstract

Red porgy Pagrus pagrus (N = 1858) caught off the Canary Islands between May 1985 and April 1986 and between January 1991 and September 1993 were studied. Total length was in the range 4.7–57.2 cm. Females predominated at the smaller sizes and males at the larger sizes. Protogynous hermaphroditism was found. The overall ratio of males to females was 1:3.29. The reproductive period extended from December to May, with most gonadal activity between February and March. Fifty per cent maturity was reached at 22.6 cm total length by females and 26.7 cm by males. The length-weight relationship for all fish was described by the following parameters: a = 0.017947, b = 2.9583. Fish aged 0–14 years old were present in the samples. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters for all fish were L∞ = 63.96 cm, and k = 0.144 year−1. Mortality rates for all fish, estimated from a length-converted catch curve, were Z = 0.56 year−1, F = 0.24 year−1 with M = 0.32 year−1 derived from Pauly's empirical formula. The exploitation rate was E = 0.43. Total length at first capture was 15.2 cm.