Population parameters and the stock status in Sardinella maderensis (Lowe, 1838) in the coastal waters of Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa)

In West Africa, many fisheries are fully exploited or overexploited. The primary challenge in addressing this issue is often the lack of data to inform management policies. Since 2011, the production of Sardinella maderensis has been declining, and data on the species’ population dynamics are scarce. This study aims to examine the population dynamics of S. maderensis and provide preliminary data on the state of its stock within the coastal waters of Côte d’Ivoire. Such data are essential for the sustainable management of these fisheries. To achieve this objective, a total of 2,112 samples of S. maderensis were collected from April 2022 to March 2023. These samples were measured for total lengths and analyzed using FiSAT II software. The length frequency distribution ranged from 12 to 41 cm, with an average of 23.03 ± 19.09 cm. The asymptotic length (L∞) was 31.50 cm, the growth rate (K) was 0.68 year⁻¹, the growth performance index (Φ’) was 2.82, and the theoretical age (t0) was -0.105 year, indicating that this species is fast-growing. S. maderensis in the coastal waters of Côte d’Ivoire reaches sexual maturity before being caught by fishing gear, suggesting that the catches predominantly consist of mature individuals. The exploitation rate (E) was recorded at 0.47, slightly higher than the E max value. The study concludes that S. maderensis is overexploited in the coastal waters of Côte d’Ivoire. These findings should inform the adoption of appropriate measures for the sustainable management of this species, particularly by reducing fishing effort through regulating this fishery.