Size at first maturation as parameter for establishment of the minimum size of capture for the white croaker in Southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Micropogonias furnieri is one of the most important fishery resources in Southeastern Brazil. However, the Brazilian law for exploitation of this resource is incipient. Our main objective was to assess whether reproductive tactics developed by Ubatuba populations are consistent with the available information and to evaluate their suitability to support measures of protection. A total of 359 individuals were examined, with unbalanced sex ration (1 female:1.56 male). Negative allometry (b<3) was found for both sexes. Spawning occurs during most of the year. Size at first maturation (L₅₀ = 341 mm and 329 mm, for females and males respectively), was higher than previous information for the region, and higher than the minimum size of allowed capture established by the law (TL = 25 cm). We recommend consider this new size at first maturity as the minimum allowed capture size as a measure to help the protection of this fishery resource in Southeastern Brazil.