Evolution of the Sprat (Sprattus sprattus, Linnaeus 1758) Population at the Romanian Littoral during 2008-2016

Abstract

Sprat is one of the fish species with high commercial importance in the Romanian marine area whose population is heavily influenced by the fishing effort exerted on it and by the evolution of environmental conditions. The paper is a synthesis of long-term data obtained by NIMRD “Grigore Antipa” Constanta mainly through National Data Collection Programs (NDCP) in the period 2008-2016, being partner of the National Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture (NAFA). The main elements analysed are: - dynamics of sprat catches and its share on fishing gears; - evolution of fishing effort; - distribution and biomass of fishing agglomerations; - environmental conditions influence on the status and distribution of fishing agglomerations; - structure on size classes of the catches; - evolution of the growth parameters and natural mortality; The presented data indicate seasonal changes of the distribution and biomass values, the fishing agglomerations being very much influenced of environmental conditions.