In the last decades, there has been an increasing interest on mid-size pelagic fish species
(MSPFS) based on their economic and ecological importance in the marine ecosystems. The
main goal of the present is to report novel information on the life history traits (size
composition, reproductive aspects, condition status, age structure and growth) and spatial
distribution (latitude, longitude and depth) of five MSPFS, belonging to the genus Scomber
and Trachurus, in the Gulf of Cadiz shelf waters analyzing summer survey data (2007-2015).
The main findings showed that their respective populations make a different use of the
surveyed area, showing different population structures and reproductive and condition
states. Scomber scombrus and Trachurus mediterraneus had the more restricted spatial
distribution. It is hope that these new insights will contribute to the implementation of
ecosystem-based approaches aimed to reach sustainable fisheries in the study area.Instituto Español de Oceanografía
Universidad de Cádiz52 pgs + suplementary materia
