The fish fauna of Mellah lagoon (North-East Algeria): Diversity, production and commercial catches analysis.

摘要

The fish fauna of Mellah lagoon (North-East Algeria): Diversity, production and commercial catches analysis. Thirty-eight species of fish are present in the Mellah lagoon, where only nine are sedentary and six are common. From 1987 to 2003, the statistic series indicate an annual halieutic production of 40.3 +/- 28.2 tonnes, i.e. a yield of 46.5 kg per hectare and per year. Commercial catches shows that the species Liza aurata, Chelon labrosus, Mugil cephalus, Sparus aurata and Dicentrarchus labrax are now the most abundant. Their production is variable during the year and depends on the fishing gear used, which also determines the length of captured specimens.