Reduction of reproductive parameters of Pogonias courbina (Perciformes, Sciaenidae) in southern Brazil

Abstract In southern Brazil, the Southern Black Drum Pogonias courbina is an estuarine-dependent fish, endangered due to intense fishing in the past decades. This study calculated the reproductive parameters, age ( A 50 ) and length of first maturation ( L 50 ), batch fecundity, total fecundity and extension of the reproductive period of the P. courbina, in order to test the hypothesis of reduction, caused by heavy exploitation. The value for A 50 , calculated for both sexes, was 2.13 years. The L 50 values for males and females were 42.5 and 46.4 cm respectively, while batch and total fecundity were 63,300 and 2,532,000 oocytes, in a reproductive period that extends from late October to March. Except for the extension of the reproductive period, it was observed that there was a reduction of all the reproductive parameters when compared with specimens, caught before overfishing. The data indicate that management strategies aimed at ecological and fishery sustainability are urgent and necessary.