Synopsis of Biological Data on the Blue Withing Micromesistius
FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 34 Rev, i FRiui/34 (Fìv. 1) (Distribution restricted) SAST - i-lue whiting 1,3(O4),O33,O1
SYNOPSIS OF BIOLOGICALAT ON TH BLUE iITING LonJesistP7s poutassou (Su, 1810)
Prepared by DFS. Raitt
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Rome, 1968 DOCUMENTS OF THE FISHERY DOCUMENTS DE LA DIVISION DOCUMENTOS DE LA DRECCION RESOURCES AND EXPLOITATION DES RESSOURCES ET DE L'EX- DE RECURSOS PESQUEROS Y EX- DIVISION OF FAO DEPARTMENT PLOITATION DES PECHES DU DE- PLOTACION DEL DEPARTAMENTO OF FISHERIES PARTEMENT DES PECHES DE LA DE PESCA DE LA FAO FAO
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SYNOPSIS OP BIOLOGICAL DATA ON ThS BLUU WUITING
Microinesietius pout eeou (Risso, 1810)
Prepared by
D.F.S., RAITT
Marine Laboratory Aberdeen, Scotland
FOOD AND AGRICULTURZ ORGANIZATION OF THB UNITBO NATIONS Rome, July 1968 PREPARATION OP ThIs SYNOPSIS
A revision of the proviaiont1. version iesud in September 1966 for presenta- tion at the ICES Symposium on The Bcology of Pelagic Fish Specie. in Arctic Watore, Copenb.on 50 September - October l966
Distribution "Current Bibliography" entry
Author Raitt, D.F.S. (1968) 14-6M124 FAO Department of Fieheries FAO Fieh.Snope., (34)ReV.: pag.var, FAO Regional Fisheries Officers Synopeis of biological data on the Regional Fisheries Councilsnd blue whiting Micromoeietiue poutassou Conuaioeiono (R.Leso, 1810) Selector SM NE 14-6M13 PRm $54 Blue whitin: Rev.1
CON T E N T S Page
1 IDENTITY 1:1
1.1. Nomenclature j
1.11 Valid name 1 1.12 Øbective synonymy 1
1.2 Taxonomy j
1.21 Affinities j 1.22 Taxonomic status j 1.23 Subspecies* 1.24 Standard common names, vernacular names i
1.5 Morphology 1051 External morphole7 2 1.52 Cytomorphology5 1.55 Protein opecificity
2 DISTRIBUTION 21
2.1Total area 1
2,2 Differential d-tribution j 2.21 Spawn, larvae anduv.nil.. 1 2.22 Adults 4
2.5 Determinants of distribution changes 4
2.4 Bybridizstion*
$ BIONOMICS MiD LIFE HISTORY 5:1
5.1 Reproduction 1
511 Sexuality i 5.12 Maturity 3.13 Mating* 5.14 Fertilization i 5.15 Gonade i 5.16 Spawning 2 3,17 Spawn 2 iv FRm/S34 Blue whiting (Rev.1
Page
3.2 Preadult phase 3:2
3.21 Bmbryonic phase 2 3.22 Larval phase 4 3.23 Adolescent phase 4
3.3 Adult phase 4
3,31 Longevity 4 3.32 Hardiness* 3.33 Competitors 4 3.34 Predators 4 3.35 Parasites, diseases, injuries and abnormalities 4
3.4 Nutrition and growth 4
3,41 Feeding 4 3,42 Food 4 3.43 Growth rate 4 3.44 Metabolism*
3.5 Behaviour 8
3.51 Migrations and local movements 8 3.52 Schooling 8 3,53 Responses to etimuli*
4 POPULATION 4:1
4.1 Structure i.
4.11 Sex ratio I 4.12 Age composition i 4.13 Size composition i 4.2 Abundance and density i 4,21 Average abundance 4.22 Changes in abundance 4.23 Average density* 4.24 Changes in density*
4.3 Natality and recruitment*
4.4 Mortality and Morbidity* FRm S34 Blue whitin: Rev.1 Page 4,5 Dynamics of population*
4,6 The population in the community and the ecosystem 4:4
5 BXPLOITATION 5:1
5.1Fishing equipment 1
5.11 Gear 1 5.12 Boats 1 5.2 Fishing areas 5.21 General geographic distribution 5.22 Geographic ranges 5,23 Depth ranges 5.24 Conditions of the grounds 5,3 Fishing seasons5 5,4 Fishing operations and results 5.41 Bffort and intensity5 5,42 Selectivity5 5.43 Catches i
6 PROTBCTION AND MANIiC HNT
7 POND FISH
8 RßFBRBNCBS 8:1
* As no informationwas available to the author, these items have been oiunittod from the text,
FRm/S34 Blue whiting (Rev.].) 1:1
1. IDENTITY supraorbital canal and 1 in the supra- orbital commissure. The mucous cavity 1.1 Nomenclature is closed in front. The facial nerve exits from the side of the skull through 1.11 Valid name a foramen."
Micromesistius poutassou (Risso, - Specific 1810) Micromesistjus poutassou (Risso) 1,12 Objective synonymy
Type : Gadus merlangus (non L.) Merlangus pouassou Risso, 1826 Risso, Ichth. Nice, 1810:115 M. vernalis Risso, 1826 LpertusuG Cocco, 1829 ID 12-15; lID 9-15; hID 22-28; M. comnitinis Costa, 1850 IA 30-42; lIA 24-30; pectoral fins GaduQ melanostomus Niisson, 1853 19-23; pelvic fins 6; gill-rakers 27-33 (23-26 on tue lower limb of the gill 1.2 Taxonomy arch); vertebrae 55-59, vertebrae bear- ing the first haemal arch 23-27. Colour- 1.21 Affinities ation bluish-grey on back, lighter on the sidos, silvery; belly milk-white; small - Suprageneric dark spot, sometimes absent, at the base of the pectoral fin. Length to 40 cm, Phylum Vertebrata seldom larger. After Williamson (1908), Series Pisces Svetovidov (1948) and Kandier and Class Tei.eostomi Kiechhafer (1966). Intestine with 8-14 Subclass Actinopterygii pyloric caeca (Raitt, 1962). Order Cadiformee Family Gadidae Above description based on specimens Subfamily Gadihae from north-east Atlantic only. - Generic - Subjective Synonymy Micromesistiug Gill, Proc.Acad.Nat. Sci.Phila., (1863), 1864:231. Gadus merlangus Risso, 1810 11er1angus albus Yarreil, 1841 3enotype: Gadus potassoa DUben, 1846 Pollachius poutassou Bonaparte, 1846 Merlangue poutassou Risso Gadus poutassou Gunther, 1862 Micromesistius poutassou Gill, 1864 The following generic concept is Boreogadus poutassou Maim, 1877 that given by Svetovidov (1948): Key to the species of Micromesistius "The dorsal and anal fins are (after Svetovidov, 1948) divided by spaces, The space between the first and second dorsal fins is 23-26 gill-rakers on the lower limb greater than the diameter of the eye, of the first gill arch, 27-33 on the space between the second and third entire gill arch dorsal fins is greater than the base of M. poutassou (Risso) the second dorsal fin, beginning of the first anal fin is forward of the 33-39 gill-rakers on the lower limb origin of the first dorsal. Caudal of the first gill arch, 42-43 on the fin with a small notch. The lower jaw entire gill arch projects forward slightly. Barbel on M. australis (Norman) tho chin undeveloped. Teeth on pre- maxillary and.dentary, l-2 teeth on 1.22 Taxonomic status either side of the head of the vomer. Lateral line straight, running parallel M or ph o - sp oc i e s with the dorsum above tue midline of the body, uninterrupted for its entire 1.24 Standard common names, length. On the head along the lateral vernacular names (see line canal system there are pores: 12 Table i). in the preopercular-mandibular canal, 9 in the infraorbital. canal, 3 in the 1:2 FRm/S34 Blue Whiting (Rev. i)
TABLE 1
Standard and vernacular names of blue whiting
Country Standard Name Vernacular Name
Finland Mustakitaturska Prance Poutassou Germany Blauer Wittling Greece Prosphygaki Iceland IColmunni X steel Shibbut qatan Italy M eid Malta Stokkafixx Monaco Pt assu No r w ay Blgunn ar Poland Blekitek Spain Bacaladillr Sweden Kolmulen Tunisia N avalli Turkey Bakalyaro United Kingdom Blue Whiting, Couch's Whiting USSR Poutas sou Y ugo el av i a Ugotica
1.3 Morphology 5.8-6.2, length of the base of the first dorsal fin 8.0-9.1, length of the base j31 Bxternal morphology (see of the second dorsal fin 8.0-10.3, also section j..21) length of the base of the third dorsal fin 13.8-14.8, length of the base of the It is a typical gadoid with first anal fin 32.3-37.9, length of the three dorsal and two ventral fins but can base of the second anal fin 15.5-16.5, be readily distinguished by the followIng height of first dorsal fin 9.6-11,9, diagnostic features: long slim shape, height of first anal fin 6.7-7.8, depth absenc.e of barbel on the lower jaw, of caudal oduncle 3.7-4.9, its length position of vent and the wide spaces 9.4-10.8, length of head 22.1-23.8. In between the dorsal fins (Fig,l). percent of head length: length of snout 31,3-35.0, diameter of' eye 25.9-28.7, Proportional measurements: length of upper jaw 40,6-43.5, length of lower jaw 54,1-57.9, width of forehead "In percent of body length: 10.5-13.5" (Svetovidov, 1948). anteanal distance 30.5-33.3, antedorsal distance 29.5-31.1, length of pectoral ein 12.4-14.6, length of pelvic fin posits )': of vent Figure 1. Blue whiting - diagnostic features
FRm/534 Blue whiting (Rev.l) 2 :.
2. DISTRIBUTION There is little documented inform- ation on the distribution of blue 2.1 Total Area whiting in the Bay of Biscay, although Schmidt (1909) states that it is often Schmidt (1909) states that the taken in quantity there by French diStribution of blue whiting extends from trawlers, but it has been included in a the Mediterranean to the North Cape of list of rare fishes off the Basque coast Norway. It is an oceanic species and is of Spain (Navaz, 1958). more typically found beyond the edge of the continental shelf above depths in The blue whiting was first identi- excess of 100 fathoms. They are also fied by Italian research workers (Risso, found off the south and west coasts of 1810; 1826; Costa, 1850; Vinciguerra, Icéland (Saeinundsson,l949). They occur 1883; etc,), Within the Mediterranean only in the deepest parts of the North they are found mainly in the west and Sea, mainly on the edge of, and inside the north, being recorded as common off Norwegian Deeps, and to a far less extent Algeria (DieuÈeide et al.,1953), off the also in the north-western North Sea Costa Brava (Bas and Rubio, 1959), in provided that the areas of sea-bed lie the Tuscan Archipelago (Matta, 1959) and below a depth of 100 m (Sahrhage, 1964). less frequently within the Adriatic Blegvad (1946) also records their (Soijan, 1948; Zupanovic, 1960). Couch prösence in the catches of the Danish (1878) quotes Risso as saying that it is "waste fish" fishery from the Skagerrak. fished at all times of the year in the Wheelér (1965) and Fluchter and Rosenthal deepest portions of the sea in the (1965) both record them from the southern neighbourhood of Nice, and Aflalo (1904) North Sea. Jensen (1905) found large describes the species as generally numbers of their otoliths in bottom common on the westernmost grounds but in deposits from the "Polar Deep" between some years exceedingly rare on the Norway and Greenland, and Spitebergen and Italian coast, Faroe/Iceland, Boldovsky (1939) quotes adolescents frOm the' Barents Sea from Furnestjn (1958) recorded several 1934-8 while more recently Baranenkova species caught at 250-300 m off (190) records them from this area in Casablanca during a trawling survey of considerable numbers in 1959. This the Coast of Morocco, and this probably occurrence he associates with the great represents the southernmost limit of its inflow of warm water into the southern distribution. part of the Barents Sea which took place in that year and carried the fish outside 2.2 Differential distribution their normal range (see .2,21). Blacker (1966) records considerable numbers 2.2l Spawn, larvae and of bjue whiting to the west of Spitsbergen juvenile s in 1960-64, and he has related their occurrence with a predominately Atlantic Spawn: Schmidt (1909) points Out influence as shown by the distribution of that in the north-east Atlantic, where benthic indicator species. he carried out most of his investigations, the spawning area of blue whiting is a At the extremes of their range to the much more southerly one than the total north and west individual specimens have distribution of the population. Spawn- been recorded from east Greenland ing takes place in mid-water beyond or (Kotth'aus and Krefft, 1957), west Green- on the lower slope of the coastal banks land '(Iversen, 1936; Tning, 1958) and towards deep water to the west of Georges Bank, off Nova Scotia(Bigelow Scotland and Ireland and bounded to the and Schroeder, 1955). More recently north by Faroe and Iceland. This Miller (1966) has reported on further region he compares with the adult speciMens taken off Massachusetts and distribution in this area (Fig.3). Nova Scotia - (Fig.2). (See also section on larvae). At the turn of the century there were Gualini (1938) records blue whiting several references to their occurrence spawning as early as January in the off the west coast of Ireland (Andrews, Ligurian Sea and Schmidt (1909) auggests 1864; Holt and Calderwood, 1895). More the possibility of a spawning off the recently they have been recorded from all coast of Portugal, perhaps in February. the Atlantic slope fishing grounds to the These would suggest that there may be a west of Scotland and Ireland - George southern stock which is quite distinct Bligh, Rockall, Porcupine, etc. (Blacker,from the north-east Atlantic population. 1962). Fraser (1958), however, suggests that FIG. I. DISTRIBUTION (DF BLLJI WHITING (afc T&rq- 1958) Figure 2. Distribution o' blu. whiting in the 1orth Atlantic Mediterranean (Taning, j9() and FRm/S34 Blue whiting (Rev.l) 2:5
Pigure 3. Dietribution of blue whiting epawn and adulta in the north- east Atlantic. The da'k dotted line indicates the north and east boundary of the spawning region whilst the dott.4 and shaded parte indicate the dietributioll to the north and east of this (Schmidt9 1909) 2:4 PRIa 534 Bins whitjn: Røv.1 the fishcaught in the Bay of Biecay, andBank, (approximately i.1W) with a tongue indeed off the Iborian coasts, could be extending northwards over the deep water derived from northern spawningo off the between Faro. and Iceland. Although west coast of Ireland, the eggs and larva these fish were found only over deep being carried oouth by a branch of the water and not over thi continental shelf, North Atlantic drift0 (Sea also 3.16). they were more concentrated in numbers over diep water banks, i.e. water of 200- Larvae: Schmidt (1909) quotes a 300 fathoms, and lese over th, deep water larval distribution similar to that up to 1000 fathOms, in spits of their described above for tho eggs but found distribution presumably being dependent considerable numbers of larvae in the Bay upon oceanic waterovemonte, and the of Biecay as well,Zilanov(i.966a) fact that th. f 18h themselves were always found blue whiting larvae in the Norwegial3in the upper 30m".Th. distribution of Se in Juno 1961. these young f ish was associated with a strong, well-defined, continuous pelagic The continuous planhton recorder of trace on the echosounderwhichshowed the Rdinburgh Laboratory has regularly very little evidence of diurnal migration covered the area to the west of the (Fraser, 1961). British lelos since 1948 and the young stages of blue whiting have been recorded The results of this cruise indicate in largo numbers over a considerable area that the numbers of young blue whiting in to the weSt of Scotland beyond the 200 m the area at that timo were very large anti depth contour in the montho oC March) from the evidence of the continuous April and May (Hender on, 1954; 1967; plankton recorder for 1955 (Henderson, 1961; 1964). Sven though this instru- 1964) itSOOIa5that this was not an mont only samples the pinnhton at a dopth exceptional brood year, although f lue- of 10 m the numbers encountered and the tuations in numbers from year to year large area overwhichthey aro distri- may be considerable. buted indicate that there is an enormous spawning here each year (Fig.4).Small ,J2 Adulte numbers of blue whiting larvae have aleo been recorded from the mid-Atlantic by The distribution of adult fish ha the Icolandic laboratory, ihicb used been described in 2,1Whether there are plankton neto sampling down to 50 ai and say spawning migrations into the area their results indicate that the Reykjaaoodescribed by Schmidt (1909) in the north.. Ridge moot probably formathe western east Atlantic from areas outside is not 1Jt1t of tbó blue whiting epawniflg area known. south of Icoland (Magnuoson et al,, l965) Thora is no evidence of spawning off the Determinante of distribution north-east coast of North America. Only the northern boundary fell Very littlo information is availablewithin the region invetigated by Schmidt from the southern part of its dietri-. (1909) but ho was able to give the follow- bution but ago(1910)caught the larvae ing.liinito for spawning: in 3,000 of water off Monaco0 Northern limit: the waters eou1 Juveniles: During a cruise bythe of Iceland Scottish Research Veseoi "Scotia" to the vast of the British Isles in June-July Southern limit: south of the 1955 a nuLbor of hauls were mude over a regione investigated (Occurs in largo area, using an IcolandiC pelagic the Mediterranean) trawl without sweeps and havihg a cód-sad stretched mesh size of '/2 The Minimum temperature: ca 80 following observations wave madö on young blue whiting (Fraser, uuublished): "Blue Maximum temperature: ? whiting, 7-14 cm, wore taken in a wide area over deep water only, offtho edge Salinity: not less than 35.25- of theshelf from atleast the southern 35.30°/oo limits of the investigation, approximately 56°30'N, between Rockall and the Hebrides, Damas (1909) quotes 6°-9°C. through the Faros Channel but fading out Blue whitinthrive and spawn in some 100 miles north-oaet of the Wyvillo water of high salinity, a condition Thomson Ridge. The western limito wore which io fulfilled in the area Schmidt Rockall and between Lousy nd Bill Bailey FRm/S34 Bawhitiny») 2:5
Figur. 4. Distribution oe young etagon of bino bitjng in Marcb Aprii and May forthey0ar331948.=,1962. The cymbale repreeeat Iio mean numbere per j.O mduringth000three moutbe. The doto indicate aboenc,, the cv ooee chow aumboro up to 1.0 and the circles, nucceceively, UP go 3.0, 10.0 and over 1OO FRmI $54 Blue Whiting (Rev.i.) investigatod i.o. the wator west of whiting in the Beligoland Bight in 1964 Scotlandover ßreat depths. It is the and, after artificial fertilization of species of gedoid whose young stages have the sexual products, were able to make the longest po1a.ic lif and this is theobservations on the freshly hatched reason why it can drift, from the larvae. They concluded that these spawning placeo in the Atlantic, with larvae would not have survived at the the Atlantic strews, far up into the temperature then occurring in the Bight Norwegian Sea (Pig, ), (5.1-5.8°C) but would have required an environmental temperature of at least Pluchter and Rosenthal (1965) found 8°C. on, rip, male .d two ripe female blue FRm/S34 Blue whitin Rev.].) 3;l 3, BIONOMICS AND LIFE HISTORY 3.14 Fertilization 3.1 Reproduction Ova and sperm probably shed freely into the water. 3, 11 Sexuality 3.15 Gonads Blue whiting are heterosexual, but no known external characters. distinguish Gualini (1938) gives some inform- males from females, ation on the maturing gonad.
Maturity Table 2 shows data on gonad weights at different sizes and maturity stages Matta (1959) quotes size at first in a sample from the Norwegian Deeps, maturity in the Mediterranean as 19 2 cm April 1960. and 19.4 cm for males and females resp- ectively and Bas (1959) states that they mature in this. . area át an age of one year. Raitt (1966) shows that fish from Scottish waters and from Faroe reach first maturity at about 20 cm upwards, and at an age of 2-4 years. These results are similar to those recorded by Polonsky (1966) fron material collected to the west of Ireland0
TABLE 2
..Data on a sample of blue whiting from the Norwegian Deeps in April 1960 (Raitt, tmpublishd)
Length Gro8$ weight o Gonad weight Maturity (cm) fish (g) (g)
24 86 4,2 I-III
29 167 12 5 III
31 228 14.3 III
36 325 31. 8 Iv
37. 3:31 23.I Iv
39 3 52 20.1 Iv
39 442 25 3 Iv
40 469 16.7 III
40 477 13.1 III 3;. 2 FRm/S34 Blue whitjn: Rev,l
3.:16 Spawning 3.2 Pre-adult phase Spawning is pelagic over considerable 3.21 Embryonic phase depths and, at least in the north-east Atlantic, beyond the edge of' the Fluchter and Rosenthal (1965) give continental shelf. data on the embryonic development of artificially fertilized eggs (Table 3) Gualini (1938) found that blue and provide the following description' whiting off Genoa spawned only once a "The eggs were kept unde Constant year and were sexually mature from conditions of 8°C and 35 loo salinity. January to May. As already noted, Four days after fertilization the Schmidt (1909) and Henderson (1957) found "primitive streak" became visible; on the larvae from March to May and it is the sixth day it was clearly marked and probable that the spawning in the north- went right round the yolk at an angle of east Atlantic is a month or so later than 110-120 The incubation period that in the Mediterranean. Hickling amounted to about 11-12 days and two to (1927) recorded the ovaries as ripe for three days before hatching the first spawning from February to April on the black chromatophores could be identified. Irish grounds. The larva is about 2.2 mm long at hatching. One day before hatching, the 3. 17 Spawn larva has about 9 chromatophores with very considerable branching, shaped like Henderson (1957) has described the dendrites, and arranged laterally at charr.cteristics of the egg and records equal intervals. About 2 days after the diameter as 1.1 mm. Flucliter and hatching, small grains of pigment, yellow Rosenthal (1965) give the only descrip- to orange in colour appear, distributed tion of the egg from artificially evenly over the body; only at the post- fertilized material. (See section 3.21) erior end of the yolk sac and shortly before the end of the trunk are accumulations tobe found. The yolk sac remains unpigmented and is still very large. Even on the fifth day after hatching, the mouth opening is not visible. The eyes are unpigmented." ;TABLE' 3
Embryonic development of blue whiting
Date Days after fertilization Stage of development (1965)
11 March O Fertilization
15 March 4 Primitive streak recogniz able
17 March 6 Primitive streak with clearly differentiated head position
20 March Black chromatophores 22-23 March Larvae hatch
26 March Appearance of yellow pigment
29 March 17 Mouth not visible, eyes uripigmented 4mm
I&/4mm 6213 mm oL mm 13mm ___ - .,J , \ç 9 Figure 5. 61'2mm Larvae of bluc whiting (Hendereon, 1957; Schaidt, 1905) 16mm 3:4 FR2S/S34 Blue whiting (Rev.i.
3.22 Larvae phase .35 Parasites, diseases, injuries and The newly hatched larvae probably abnormalities measures 2.7-3.0 mm (Henderson, 1957 - but see 3.21above). Different sizes A recent examination of adult blue of larvae have been described by Schmidt whiting,2ofromthewest coast of Scotland (1909) and Henderson (1957) and these and 20 from Faroe, by Dr Z. Kabata of the are shown in Fig.5 and described in Table Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen, Scotland 4, (unpublished) gave the following results: (see Tble 5). 3.23 Adolescent: phase 3,4 Nutrition and growth In a fish such as blue whiting which is pelagic throughout its life cycle it 3.41 Feeding is difficult to define the juvenile phase. The distribution of fish 7-14 cm Hickling (1927) found the blue whiting in length has been described in section off the west coast of Ireland were feeding 2.21. very little during the autumn and winter and that during this time the livers were 3,3 Adult phase abnormally large. From April to September feeding was intensive; the 3.31Longevity liver was small and the sexual organs were reduced, The stomach contents of Raitt (1966) records fish up to 170 fish examined in October 1926 averaged 14 years of age, but notes that the only 0,7 gm per fish erea8 in July 139 samples he examined pointed to the north- blue wh.i.tin.g. çomta'in.d, on average, 2.6 east Atlantic population being, in the gm of food per stomach. main, less than 10 years old, Bas (1963) records few fish over 3 years old in the 3.42. Food Italian commercial fishery. The food of blue whiting from the 3,33 Competitors Mediterranean has been described by Issel (1931), Brian (1936) and Dieuzeide (1960), In the ecological environment of the who confirmed that the principal diet larvae and juveniles, i.e. in the surface consisted of crustaceans (euphausids and layers of waters above considerable shrimps), small fishes (myctophids, depths, there are known to occur large gobies and small gadoids - Gadiculus) numbers of other pelagic fishes of about and, less frequently, small cephalopods. the saine size, such as myctophids, in particular Ben thosema glac±aio in the Hickling (197) found thè stornach north-east Atlantic (Fr.as.er., personal eonteüts. of. adult blue whitIng from west communication), but their interrelation- of the British Isles, to consist almost ships with blue whiting aro not known. entirely of krill (Meganyctiphanes) in April but in the summer there was a change 3.34 Predators to a fish diet, the main species recorded being young blue whiting, Gadiculus and Blue whiting are known to be the myctophids. An analysis of the stomachs principal food of hake off the west of blue whiting caught at the Faroes in coast of Scotland. Hickling (1927) the summers of 1960 and 1961 showed them states that they form 37% by weight of to be feeding mainly on sandeels (Raitt, all food eaten by the hake and may amount unpublished). Zenkevitch (1963) records to as much as 70% by weight of the food their food in the Barents Sea as consist- of hake caught in waters of 250 fathoms ing entirely of pelagic crustacea. depth. He also found a relationship between the occurrence of blue whiting 3.43 Growth rate and the catch of hâko on exploratory voyages in March-May 1927, when the hake Average lengths of blue whiting at were clearly forming a feeding concen- different ages from the Mediterranean and tration on shoals of spawning blue the north-east Atlantic are shown in whiting. Table 6. The rates of growth are remarkably consistent throughout the geographical range and growth appears to be very rapid up to two years of age and FRm/S34 Blue whiting (Rev.l) 3:5 considerably slower thereafter. coast of Scotland in April/May 1965 and from Faroe in May/Juno 1965. The values Raitt (1966) has fitted the Von of the growth parameters obtained are Bertalanffy growth equation L L shown in Table 7 and compared with the parameters calculated for Mediterranean (i- e - - o)), by the method of samples from the data of Matta (1959) and maximum likelihood, to the data on mean Bas (1963). lengths for successive ages Crois the west
TABLE 4 Development of larval characteristics with growth (see Fig.5) 2Y2 mm after Fluchter and Rosenthal (1965) 4 nun after Henderson (1957), all others after Schmidt (1905)
Length Characteristics
2Y2 mm Eyes unpigmented, accumulations of pigment only at posterior end of yolk sac and shortly before the end of the trunk. Mouth opening 'not visible.
4 mm Occipital pigment of 6-10 c'hromto'phorés. One 'or two faint pro-anal chrom'atOphores. Eyes fully pigmented. Notochord straight.
7 mm Notochord still straight. Faint indication of rays in caudal fin.
8Y2 mm Notochord bent slightly upwards. Indication of inter spinous regions in all unpaired fins. Dorso and ventro- lateral pigment now very denso and well marked,
101/4 mm Notochord bent strongly upwards. Fin rays still indistinct, A narrow medio-lateral belt is still free of pigment.
13 mm F:rèè.'o,id ó the fl:oto'chØrd almost en'tirelr reduced. Caudal fin slightly concavo. ca ID5, IID6,iiI'Dl6 rays. ca IA25, IIAl6. Anus lies under ID.
16 mm ca 1D7, lIDiO, 111D20, 1A27, 11A21. No pigment on fins. Pigment on sidos extends almost to the beginning of the caudal fin.
21 mm Fins unpigmented, Abdominal region has already the first weak signs of a silvery sheen,
251/2 mm Caudal fin deeply forked, Unpaired fins quite separated.
32 mm Body now has greater height in front of anus. Fins practically without p.igrñent. 1D12, IiD1, 111D23, 1A37, IIA27.. C., Parasites of blue whiting (Kabata, unpublished) TABLE 5
P.ft Parasite Organ infected % infectedof fish Incidence Is per fish % infectedof fish Incidence ZschokkellaBlineria sp.hildae UrinaryL ive r ducts 87.5 4 mod. 100 per fish mod. OctodactylusBucephalopsis minor gracilescens; GillsCranial cavity 100 33 l-22-20 100 mod. 2 s DerogenesStephanostomum varicus caducummetecercaria Gills,Pyloric stomach caeca 8 1 Contracaecum sp;aduncum;larva Stomach,IV pyloric PyloricLiver,andcaeca, hindguts caecahindgut,fore, mid 16 8 V.Coast of 14-70 1 100 2 Anisakis sp; larvae larva Mesenteries,caecasurface pyloric liver, 100 Scotland 2-42 loo Faro e 68 Porrocaecum decipiens;larva muscleLiver surface 25 1 100100 14 2 PlerocercoidTrypanorhynchUnidentifiedAecarophis sp.larvae larvallarvaenematodes HindgutFore,Stomach,Stomach hindgut intestine 12 48 3-71-2 i6 100 1 Length8 of blue whiting, at various ages, front the Mediterranean and north-east Atlantic; TABLE 6 !x1
age (in years) determined from otoliths (1929) C4U)
H (D Area Timeof sample 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10+ Authority P.(D Tuscan Archipelago Oct.57-Feb.58 15 20 23 25 26 27 - - -- - Matta P. West Mediterranean 1951-58 - 19 23 25.2- - - - - Bas(1963)(1959) H(D FaroeWest Coast Scotland Apr.May 1965 May-June 1965 19.518.9 23.223.4 25.4 25.9 26.227.2 28.228.1 28.629.2 29.8 31.4 30.533.3 34.231.8 34.235.0 RaittRitt (-1966)(1-966) Iceland May 19621927 - 1820.4 23.6 24 25.625.4 29.526.8 -28.3 29.1 30.0 30.6 32.2 34.8 Raitt (1J-66)-Saemunduson 3:8 FRm/S34 Blue whiting (Rev.l)
TABLH 7
Growth parameters of blue whiting from different areas
Tuscan Western West Coast Archipelago Mediterranean of Scotland Faroe
Loe 28.1 27.9 39,9 33.4 K 0.48 o 6Q 0.15 0.23
T0 -].60 -0.9.1 -2.94
Increases in gross weight (body + North Atlantic Drift. (See 2.3 and Fig.3). guts) with length, however, are not so consistent (Table 8) and the Medi- 3.52 Scooling terranean fish are heavier than the north-east Atlantic specimens at lengths Several references occur of of 20 cm and over, blue whiting shoals being seen at the surface, Holt and Calderwood (1895) Data from Matto (1969) and Raitt record a large shoal at the surface and (1966) confirms that females are in Dunn (in Day, 1880) describ.e.e how in general larger than males and 1so 1861, 1871 and 1881 young blue whiting heavier. No information is available On caine in enormous shoals to the. c.QaUt o.f seasonal growth rate Cornwall, the fish "leaping over each other to devour ihe youñg herrings which 3.5 Behaviour were plentiful in the sea".
3.51 Migrations and local In the open Norwegian Sea pelagic movements schools of blue whiting have been frequently observed more or less as The distribution of blue whiting scattered formations but sometimes also to the north of their spawning area has in rather dense concentrations (Østvedt, been attributed to the influence of the 1961). FRm/S34 Blue whiting (Rev.l) 3:9 TABLB 8
Weight (in g) in relationship to the length of the fish Length Tuscan Archipelago WesternMediterranean North East Atlantic (cm) (Matta, 1959) (Bas, 1963) (Raitt, unpublished)
11 12,0
2 12.5
3 14.7
4 17,8
5 - 21.5
6 - 25.3
7 30,2 30.0
8 39.0 35.5
9 44.5 40.0 40.4.
20 51.7 44,7
1 59.0 52.9
2 66.9 71.0
3 75.6 80.0 68.9
4 86.9 77,5
5 100.1 109.0 84.3
6 108.7 96,3
7 122.1 105.5
8 136.5 117.3
9 161.0 124.9
30 143.8
1 161.4
2 - 183.7
3 - 192.8
4 - 210.7
5 - - 269.3
6 - - 284.0
7 - - 325.0
8 356.0
9 - 387.0
40 - 473.0
FRm/S34 Blue whiting (Rev.l) 4:1
4. POPULATION
4.1 Structure
4,11 Sex ratio
TABLS 9 Sex ratio of blue whiting samples
Region No. of Authority M ale Porn ale f i eh
Iceland 35 65 113 Raitt (1966)
F aro e 46 54 106 e'
West Coast Scotland 41 59 170 H
Tuscan Archipelago 41 59 358 Matta (1959)
H H 36 64 658 H H
H H 42 58 797 e, H
9 H 54 46 109 H H
The data of both Raitt and Matta cante from quotes a 36 cm specimen from the research ship samples. It appears that coast of Algeria. Bas (1959), either sex can predominate and there is no however, states that specimens evidence of segregation. over 35-40 cm are very uncommon in tho commercial catches from the Mediterr-. 4.12 Age composition asean. Raitt (1966) records, from samples taken in the north-east Percentage ago composition rrom the Atlantic, that the largest specimen Mediterranean and north-east Atlantic are examined wac a 42 cm fiub from the shown in Table 10. Once again the inf- Norwegian Deeps ormation is from research ship sampling - Maximum wceip:ht and the difference between the two areas is clear, there being a far greater pro- Raitt (unpuDlielied) has recorded portion of older fish from the Atlantic. gross weights of 477 gm fromt 40 cm The maximum age recorded is 14 years from female and 294 gm from a 35 cm male in the Norwegian Deeps (Raitt, 1966). a sample from the Norwegian Deeps, Bas (1963) 8tates that in the - Length and Weight relationship western Mediterranean, fish first enter the fishery at one year of age. Matta (1959) derived the following relationship for the Medi.- 4.13 Size composition (see torr.anean: Table 1].) W 0.007468 x L29701 Matta (1959) gives separate length and Raitt (1966) obtaja the foil- frequencies for males and females showing owa.ng for fish from the north-east that there were more females amongst the Atlantic: larger size groups in his sample. W 0.009247 x L 2,8656
Size at maturity: see section 3.12 4.2 Aoundance and densit Maximum size 4.21 Average abundance Matta (1959) gives 35 cm as the No estimates of total stock size largest fish in his samples from the so far have been given. See,bowever, Tuscan Archipelago while Dieuzeide (1960) 2.21. West Coast ScotlandFaroe Percentage age composition of blue whiting samples TABLB 10 Tuscan Area Time 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10+ Authority Archipelago Apr.-Mayl9GSOct.57-Feb 58 9.1 38.930.1 23.3 9.1 21.3 4.9 11.1 4.4 23.5 3.0 13.7 - 3.7 1.8 1.7 0.4 MattaRaitt (unpublished)(1959) Iceland May-JuneMay 1962 1965 -- 4.01.5 11.4 7.8 11.8 9.5 14.7 8.7 26.524.7 20.424.0 7.85.8 8.97.5 0.93.4 0.10.9 Raitt(unpublished)(unpublished) FRin/S34 Blue whiting (Rev.l) 4:3
o
-1-
61 YE S 1948 50 52 54 56 58 60 62
Figure 6.Abundance of blue whiting larvae 4.4 FRm/S34 Blue whiting (Rev,1)
4.2 Changes in abundance 4.6 The population in the community and the ecosystem Henderson (1964) has recorded fluc- tuations in the abundance of larval blue Blue whiting is a pelagic fish whiting off the west coast of Scotland spawning in mid-winter over considerable (Pig.6). During the 6 years prior to depths. The conditions required for 1954 these young fish were rather scarce spawning(i.e, temperature, salinity) are and there were no very striking flac- noted in section 3.16. tuations, whereas from 1955 onwards the general level of abundance was apprec- It is probable, at least in the iably greater and fluctuations from year north-east Atlantic, that myctophids aro to year were much more marked. Area CS the only specieswhichcould be seriously is off the west coast of Scotland (see competing for space or food (see section Fig.4) and areas B5 and B4 are to the 3.33). Blue whiting are the principal north of it, It should also be noted food, in this area, of the deep water that the mean overall abundance in area hake but it is possible that if more in- C5 was 5 times that in B5 and B4. formation were available they would also be shown to be an important food item for other predators such as squid, etc.
TABLB 11 Size composition of blue whiting
Length Area Timo of sample range Modes Authority (cm) (cm)
Tuscan Archipelago Feb.1958 22/28/31 Matta (1959) Usatern Mediterranean 1958 14-32 18/21/27 Bas (1963) West Coast of Scötland April-May 1965 16-39 18/25/28/33 Raitt (unpublishea
Faroo May-June 1965 17-35 18/26/29 u
Iceland May 1962 15-36 19/22/27/32 U
Iceland May 1927 10-35 18/24/26/29 Saamundeson (1929) FRJn/S34 Blue whiting (Rev.1) 5 ¿1
5. BXPLOITATION 5.4 Fishing operations and results 5,1 Fishing euipment 543 Catches ll Gear Annual landings from the Medit- erranean are shown in Fig,7 for the years At present only Spain lands blue 1946-1964 (FAO, 1965). Yields from whiting in significant quantities. individual fishing grounds are not avail- Lesser quantities are marketed in Italy able. and in recent year8 the proportion of blue whiting in the unspecified category Since there is no special fishery in of the northern North Sea and Skagerrak the north-east Atlantic the landings of industrial landings is believed to have this species are grouped, in the fish- risen. All the above £isherie employ eries statistics, with several others bottom trawls. under the categories "various gadiforms" and "various other species" which usually 5.12 Boats include other lesser known gadoids and silver smelts caught and landed in the Wooden and steel trawlers 60-90 ft. industrial fisheries. Table 12 8hows are employed in the industrial fisheries the Norwegian landings of species pro- in the North Sea. In the Mediterranean tected under the provisions of the 1946 the Spanish trawlérs are mainly wooden Overfishing Convention, plus "various and of a similar size but the gear is other species" from the industrial usually hauled over the stern. fisheries for herring, 8andeel and Norway pout (data from the proceedings of the 5.2 Fishing areas North Bast Atlantic Fisheries Commission- NEAFC). It can be seen that not only 5.21 General geographic have the total landings risen in recent distribution years but so has the proportion of blue whitìng. The main Mediterranean fisheries occur on the Catalan coast (east coast of Poumon (1946) states that they form Spain) and in the Tuscan Archipelago a significant proportion of the by-catch (west coast of Italy). The guropean of the Danish fishery for deep sea prawns fisheries which land blue whiting as a in the Skagerrak and Kattegat and in by-catch are confined to the Skagerrak, recent proceedings of the NBAFC it is Norwegian Deeps and Norwegian Sea stated that they form 9% of the by-catch from this fishery, but information on 5.22 Geographic ranges the quantity caught is not available. See 2,1 Russian research vessels have landed significant quantities from the Porcupine 5.23 Depth ranges and Rockall Banks to the West of Britain. During one cruise in 1965 the research In the Catalan fishery blue whiting scouting vessel "Atlant" caught 150 tons are caught at depths in excess of 200 (Zilanov, b, in press). The potential metres. in this area has been briefly discussed by Raitt (1966). 5.24 Conditions of the grounds Most areas exploited at present are just beyond the edge of the continental shelf. 5:2 FRm $34 Blue whitin: Rev.l
TABLE 12
Landings of blue whiting, by Norway, as by-catch from industrial fisheries
North Sea and Skagerrak (Data from proceedings of North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission)
Total landings of Annex II Probable percentage of species and "various other species" bue whiting in (metric tone) catch
1961 1,167
1962 1,539 35
1963 3,491 67
1964 10,091 65 40 z(1)30 g u o o ox---x n:iv -o TOTAL 8 o e 8 e % e e -. o o go s o Q 1945 1950 Figure 7. Blue whiting landings from the Mediterranean 1946-1964
F/S34 Blue Whiting (Rev.1) 8:1
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SYNOPSES OF FISHERIES BIOLOGICAL DATA
This is one of a series of documents issued by FAO, CSIRO and USFWS concerning species and stocks of aquatic organisms of present or potential economic interest. The primary purpose of the seriesis to make existing information readily available to fishery scientists according to a standard pattern, and by so doing also to other scientists initiatinginvestigations of the species concerned or of related ones, as a means of exchange of knowledge among those already working on the species, and as the basis for comparative study of fisheries resources. They will be brought up to date from time to time as further information becomes available either as revisions of the entire document or their specific chapters.
The relevant series of documents are:
FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. FR/S (replacing, as from 1.1.63 FAO Fisheries Biology Synopsis) and FB/S CSIRO Fisheries Synopsis No. DFO/S
Synopses in these series are compiled according to a standard outline described in Fib/Si Rev, i(1965). FAO, CSIRO and USFWS are working to secure the co-operation of other organizations and of individual scientists in drafting synopses on species about which they have knowledge, and welcome offers of help inthis task. Additions and corrections to synopses already issued will also be most welcome. Comments including suggestions for the expansion of the outline and requests for information should be addressed to the co-ordinator of this work and editor of the FAO series:
A. Ben-Tuvia Fishery Resources and Exploitation Division Marine Biology and Environment Branch Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Via delle Terme di Caracalla 00100 Rome, Italy
Consolidated lists of species or groups covered by synopses issued to date or in preparation will be issued from time to time. Requests for copies of synopses should be addressed to the issuing organization.
The following synopses in this series have been issued since January 1966: SSR/F526 Synopsis on thebiology ofthejackmackerel(Trachurus (FR/S86) trachurus). (Published as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Scientific Report-Fisheries No. 526) April 1966 FR i/S30 Synopsis of biological data on the pike Esox lucius (Ljnnaeus, 1758). Provisional version April 1966 FR/S31.1 Synopsis of biological data on common carp Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758). (Asia and the Far East.) Provisional version May 1966 FR/S31.2 Synopsis of biological data on common carp Cyprinus Carpio (Linnaeus, 1758). (Near East and Europe.) Provisional version May 1966 FR/S32 Synopsis of biological data on catla Cat/a Cat/a (Hamilton, 1822). Provisional version May 1966 FRm/S34 Synopsis of biological data on the blue whitingMicronwsistius poutassou(Risso, 188180). Provisional version September 1966 FRm/S35 Synopsis of biological data on the West African croakers Pseudo- to//thus typus, P. senegalensis and P. elongatus October 1966 FRm/S33 Synopsis ofbiological data on the Norway poutTrisopterus Rev. i esmarkll (Nilsson, 1855) January 1968 FRI/S36 Synopsis of biological data on the bream Abramis brama (Lin- naeus, 1758) February 1968 FRm/S34 Synopsis of biological data on the blue whiting Micromesistius Rev. i poutassou (Risso,1810) July 1968 M 1/76554/9.68/E/i /800