Precocious female maturation in seacage populations of European Seabass (Dicentrarchus Labrax) in Cyprus

Abstract

The potential for the release of fish from aquaculture through spawning in seacages has already been noted for species such as cod and gilthead seabream. Precocious maturation of European seabass females has been noted in harvested fish in Cyprus. This study aims at quantifying the number of precocious females found in a typical seacage. The results indicate that under certain circumstances, European seabass are capable of reaching maturation and spawning within the normal residency period of seacages (18 months). Females of all size classes (from 350-1300g) were found with mature eggs and thus considered capable of spawning.