Otoliths of Trachurus picturatus from Mauritania

Abstract

One of the target groups of the European pelagic freezer-trawlers fishing off Mauritania is Trachurus spp, commercially named “JAX”. During 2010 and 2011 a total of 9,391 individuals under this codification were analyzed. Only 16 specimens resulted Trachurus picturatus, owing to this species is really scarce in this area. All their sagitta otoliths were removed, washed, labeled and stored. Lengths range between 22.1 and 31.8 cm (see table). An additional smaller individual (15.0 cm) was found into the mantle of an Octopus vulgaris from Mauritania waters (in this case, among the commercial landings from Spanish freezer trawlers, whose targeted species are cephalopods). Data of specimens and photos of their otoliths are presented.