Reproduction, sexual maturity and fecundity of anchovy kilka (Clupeonella engrauliformis Svetovidov 1941) in Iranian waters of the Caspian Sea

Reproduction period, spawning peak and sexual maturity in anchovy kilka were investigated during the year 2006 for sustainable yield assessment in Iranian waters of the Caspian Sea. The mean fork length, total weight and age were 118±5.9mm, 11±1.7g and 4.6±1.2 year, respectively. Mean (±SD) absolute fecundity was 12625±5533 ovules. More than 50 percent of the fish specimens matured when their length exceeded 92.5mm. The results showed that reproduction of anchovy kilka occurred in autumn, and spawning occurred throughout the year and especially in winter. The length and age ranges were found to be shortened compared to the past years with many older fish and less younger ones (< 2 years) in the catch which sharply decreased recruitment. This phenomenon is thought to be due to overfishing synchronized with invasion of M. leidyi pushing kilka to spawn in winter, which all cause collapse of anchovy kilka stocks in the Caspian Sea. We postulate that anchovy kilka has adopted the strategy of spawning year round to mitigate the negative effects of overfishing and invasion of M. leidyi.