Reproductive biology of the flying gurnard Dactylopterus volitans (Linnaeus, 1758) from the coastal waters of Cote D’Ivoire

The flying gurnard Dactylopterus volitans is one of the most important by–catch fish species in the inshore trawl fisheries of Côte d’Ivoire. Its reproductive characteristics were studied in order to provide fisheries managers with the essential data for science–based management. A total of 1337 specimens (including 351 males and 986 females) with size 60–390 mm in standard length (SL) were caught by industrial trawlers in waters of Côte d’Ivoire between January 2019 and December 2020. The sex ratio was defined as the proportion of females to males following month and marine seasons. The reproductive activity was assessed using the gonadosomatic index and the percentages of maturity stages. The overall sex ratio of 1 female for 0.36 male was in favour of females (χ2 = 301.59 p < 0.05). At 50% sexual maturity, males matured at of 192.8 mm, SL while females matured at 158.6 mm. The flying gurnard spawned twice during a relatively long reproductively active period, from May to August and from November to February. The total fecundity ranged from 4164 to 112232 oocytes/ovary and showed a significant correlation with fish length and body weight. This information will contribute to a scientific basis for future management.