Gonadal maturity scale of chub mackerel Scomber japonicus peruanus (Jordan y Hubbs, 1925)

Abstract

Castillo, J, Gálvez MA, Sánchez J. 2015. Gonadal maturity scale of chub mackerel Scomber japonicus peruanus (Jordan y Hubbs, 1925). Bol Inst Mar Perú. 30(1-2): 40-49.- In this paper, validating of macroscopic gonadal maturity scale of Peruvian mackerel Scomber japonicus peruanus is performed. 464 gonad samples were analyzed from the Pelagic Fishery Monitoring System in the years 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2014. Based on the oocyte development, a gonadal maturity stage was assigned for each individual. Six stages of maturity ranging from stage 0 (virgin) to stage 5 (recovery in females, post expulsion in males) were described. This maturity scale is compared with other studies; discussion about the benefits of its use and future recommendations for the fishery monitoring is presented.