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Abstract

Madeiran sardenella (Sardinella maderensis) is an important species actually fished in sea waters along the coasts of Mauritania with an increasing fishing state observed at different fisheries. Therefore, a critical study is necessary for sustainable conservation of the species. The aim of this work is to estimate the growth rate and the age of the species coming from artisanal fisheries at the Nouakchott fishermen's beach in Mauritania. The study was carried out from the landings of Madeiran sardenella stock landed at the artisanal fishmen's beach of Nouakchott during the period of January to September 2015. A total sample of 1048 specimens (568 females and 480 males) was collected. According to the method of Battacharya, 4 age-groups were identified. Using the equations of Von Bertalanffy, L∞ (cm) = 38.44, K = 0.53, and t0 =-0.60. The overall size-weight relationship gives an isometric overweight, defined by two allometric parameters: a = 0.007 and b = 3.09, with a high correlation coefficient (r = 0.93). A linear growing of the species was observed during the first year for both sexes; however females grow more than males while males live longer than females. Thus, the species has so far a capacity to support important exploitations; nevertheless, the fishing of the species need to be regulated to avoid an over-exploitation state and to build a sustainable management of the species.