Life history of the Pomadasys incisus (Osteichthyes

SUMMARY: Pomadasys incisus is one of the most abundant coaslal demersal species around the Canary Islands. It is a ponochoric species with similar biological characteristic in males and females. The adult sex ratio is not significantly dif-ferent from 1: 1, and the mean size of males and females is similar. It reaches first maturity at the end of the second year of life (1 83 mm). Spawning takes place throughout the year, Growth analysis reveals that the species is fast-growing and rel-atively short-lived (7 years). Length at age is well described by the von Bertalanffy growth model. Individuals grow guick-Iy in their imature first year, attaining approximately 45 % of their maximum length. After one year, the annual growth m e drops rapidly. The direct effects of fishing result in changes in abundame. with an 80 % reduction from the unexpbited equi-librium level. Recniitment into the cornmercial fisheríes occurs before size at sexual maturity, resulting in al1 spawners being accessible using the current fjshing panem. The length at first capture (168 m) is less than the length,at maturity; 45 % of [he total catch are smaller than this, indicating a danger of recniitment-overfishing