Reproduction, growth and distribution of the mackerel Scomber japonicus in southern Brazil

Abstract

Juveniles of mackerel (Scomber japonicus) collected from stomachs of tunas caught in the epipelagic zone adjacent to the edge of the continental shelf and the presence of youngs and gonad stages of adults collected in the neritic zone before the 50 m isobatimetric line in southeastern and southern Brazil indicate that the beginning of the reproduction changes from July to September according to the latitude and finishes in December. The species reproduces from the first year of life (approximately 210 mm FL). Commercial catches are generally composed of one to two years old fishes, but is expected to capture older specimens in the neritic zone of the external part of the continental shelf. Evidences about the existence of a unique population of Scomber japonicus in the southwestern Atlantic (22°S to 42°S) are commented.