European Pilchard (Sardina pilchardus) - Profile

(Last Updated On: April 13, 2021)

European pilchard, Scientific name, Sardina pilchardus is a genus of rodent fish of the genus Sardina. Young people of the species are among the many fish that are sometimes called sardines.

These common species are found in the northeast Atlantic, Mediterranean, and the Black Sea at depths of 10-100 m (33-328 ft). It reaches 27.5 cm (10.8 inches) in length and feeds on most planktonic crustaceans school A batch spanner of this school species where each female lays 50,000-60,000 eggs.

European pilchard Description

European pilchard is a small to medium-sized, somewhat expanded, herring. The source of the pelvic fin is far behind the surface fin and the last two soft rays of the anal fin are larger than the rest, the upper ones being green or olive, the flanks golden and the belly silvery.

Distribution and Accommodation

European aviators occur in the northeast Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean, and the Black Sea, extending from Iceland and southern parts of Norway and south of Sweden to Senegal, West Africa. In the Mediterranean, it is common in the western half and the Adriatic Sea but is uncommon in the eastern half and the Black Sea.

It is a habitat, schooling, mostly coastal species but sometimes travels up to 100 kilometers (62 miles) to sea. During the day it is mostly between 25 and 55 meters (80 to 180 feet) but can go up to 100 meters (330 feet). At night it is usually 10 to 35 meters below the surface (33 to 115 feet).

Ecology

In the Mediterranean, European pilchards move offshore in the autumn, giving preference to the cool waters and the gradual salinity of the ocean to the changing temperatures and salinity of the inland waters.

Spanning begins in winter, and in early spring, juveniles, larvae, and some adults move to shore, while other adults migrate to shore at the age of several years to produce multiple batch eggs during the long breeding season, with a total altitude of 50,000 to 60,000.

Most adolescents are about a year of age and 13 to 14 cm in length (5.1 to 5.5 inches) become sexualized; Pilchards are fully grown at about 21 cm (8.3 in) about eight years old.

The diet contains both zooplankton and phytoplankton. The zooplankton is essentially copepods and their larvae that migrate vertically daily for food near the surface at night, and this is when adult cards feed on them; Teenagers also feed during the day.

As well as European anchovir (Angrolius encrissicolas), European pitchers play an important role as consumers of plankton in the Mediterranean ecosystem and as food for European hake (Merlucius merlucius) and large demersal predators. Conger Conger).

This role is particularly noticeable in the Adriatic Sea where the water is shallow, the food chain is small and the energy held in the basin; Excessive fishing of pilchards and anchovies can cause dramatic changes in the ecosystem.

Fisheries and uses

The European piecards are the cheapest on the right side of this fish stall sale in Syracuse, Sicily

Most of its species have important fisheries for this species. It is mainly caught with purse sign and lamprear mesh but other methods including trolling the bottom with higher opening nets are also used.

In total, one million tonnes are taken annually, with Morocco and Spain having the largest catches. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) considers Moroccan fisheries to be overkill.

Elders can be sold as pilchards; Teenagers, as sardines. The terms “sardine” and “pilchard” are not specific, and their meaning depends on the region. The UK’s Sea Fish Industry Authority, for example, categorizes sardines as young pilchards One 6 in sardines and large-size fish European pilchard.

European pilchard fish is sold fresh, frozen or canned, or salted and smoked or dried; Because the meat is of little value, some fish are used for fishing hats, fertilizers and some are made for fish food.

SeaFish