Sex ratios, spawning seasonality, sexual maturity, and fecundity of white marlin (Tetrapturus albidus) from the western central Atlantic

Some aspects of the reproductive biology of white marlin from the western central Atlantic were analyzed. A total of 2488 fish were sampled by scientific observers on board Venezuelan pelagic longline vessels and from port sampling during the period of January 2002 to December 2006. Reproductive activity was assessed using histology, maximum whole oocyte size; maturity related size frequency distribution of whole oocytes, and a gonadosomatic index. Sex ratio, defined as the proportion of females to males, increased steadily in size beyond 160 cm LJFL and reached 100% at sizes >200 cm. White marlin females with relatively high gonad index values associated with advanced stages of maturity spawned from April to June in the areas NE of Dominican Republic, and N-NE of the Puerto Rico Trench. Estimated sexual maturity (L-50) for females was 160.46 cm, and the smallest mature female was 151 cm. Batch fecundity for female fish between 152 and 172 cm LJFL was 190,400-596,200 hydrated oocytes per female. The average interval between spawns was 1.5 days. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.