Sex ratio and maturity stages of the oil sardine, Sardinella longiceps Val., from the Mangalore zone

Abstract

Determination of sex ratio of the oil sardine during the period of 7 years, 196C—67, showed that there is not much difference in the ratio of the two sexes during the fishing seasons and the apparent variation which is seen from month to month is probably due to inadequacy in sampling. Disparity in sex ratio in one-year class in most years and equality of both the sexes among the two-year old fishes have been recorded. The occurrence of oil sardine at different stages of maturity has been determined. Active spawning seems to occur from June to September.