Recruitment Dynamics of Young-of-the-Year Marine Fish in the Coastal Lagoon of Lesina

Coastal lagoons are aquatic ecosystems characterised by a high productivity. The artisanal fishing has always been practiced in these areas due to the high yield. This kind of fishery exploits the migratory movements of euryhaline marine fish species between the open sea and the lagoon. The recruitment of these economically valuable marine species to the tidal channels of Lesina Lagoon, Italy, was monitored during their maximum recruitment period and the distribution of the juveniles in the lagoon itself was studied for a year. Sampling was conducted using winged 2-mm mesh fyke-nets and a manual beach seine with a 2-mm mesh central bag. The majority of the marine species juveniles entered in lagoon during the late autumn and winter. The Mugilidae family was found to be the most abundant. Liza ramada recruited in the largest numbers, followed by Liza aurata and Mugil cephalus. The Sparidae family was represented by only two species, Sparus aurata and Diplodus vulgaris with few individuals. The highest abundances of Mugilidae juveniles were found at stations situated near the mouths of freshwater channels. These findings may be useful tools for the conservation and management of lagoon fish stocks in terms of essential fish habitat protection and suitable fishery management.