Stock structure of black scabbardfish (Aphanopus carbo Lowe, 1839) in the southern northeast Atlantic

• Published in: Scientia Marina
• Main Authors: Leonel Serrano Gordo, Irineu Baptista, Lucília Carvalho, Valentina Costa, Cristina Cruz, Jorge C. Eiras, Inês Farias, Ivone Figueiredo, Helena Lourenço, Pedro Bordalo-Machado, Ana Neves, Maria Leonor Nunes, Sara Reis, Maria João Santos, Aurélia Saraiva, Ana Rita Vieira
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas 2009
• Subjects: aphanopus carbo; black scabbardfish; stock identity; holistic approach; northeast atlantic; Aquaculture. Fisheries. Angling; SH1-691; Lowe; Northeast Atlantic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3989/scimar.2009.73s2089; https://doaj.org/article/b2bebaa6a5e14232b7d804802e4c9f5e

Black scabbardfish stock structure is still unknown in European waters where, due to the scarcity of biological information, the ICES considers that there is a single stock unit. This study is the final outcome of a scientific project that applies a holistic approach to research on the population structure of the black scabbardfish and aims to define the most appropriate strategy for the conservation of this resource in southern NE Atlantic waters. The factors studied include life history parameters, otolith shape analysis, parasites, landings-and-effort data and contaminants. Sampling was conducted between 2005 and 2007 in three areas of the southern NE Atlantic: mainland Portugal, Madeira and the Azores. The mainland and the Azores have an established commercial fishery, whereas the Azores has only an exploratory fishery. The majority of results indicated the existence of different stocks of black scabbardfish in the study area. Of the 8 parameters, 6 were in agreement with separate stocks between the mainland and Madeira, 5 were in agreement with separate stocks between the mainland and the Azores, and 4 were in agreement with separate stocks between Madeira and the Azores.