Life history traits of the slender rockfish, Scorpena elongata, Cadenat 1943 (Pisces - Scorpaenidae) of the Strait of Sicily (Mediterranean Sea)

Scorpaena elongata (Pisces - Scorpaenidae) was studied from 23 trawl surveys carried out between 1985 and 1998 in the Strait of Sicily (Mediterranean Sea). Overall, 664 fish were examined. Gonad weight/status and otoliths extracted. Females dominated (52-69%; F/F+M), but the two sexes showed the range (9-57 cm). A negative allometric length-weight relationship (b=2.9) was detected. The length F), optimal and asymptotic (Lops Lopt L[infinity]) was 32.5, 35.3 and 52.4 cm, respectively. Present results elongata of the Strait of Sicily is a slow growing (k/y=0.102) and long living (up 20-30 years; stock. Given the decrease in mean size (33->25 cm), management actions are recommended.