DISTRIBUTION, POPULATION-STRUCTURE, GROWTH, AND REPRODUCTION OF THE GREATER SILVER SMELT, ARGENTINA-SILUS (PISCES, ARGENTINIDAE), OF THE SKAGERRAK AND THE NORTH-EASTERN NORTH-SEA

Greater silver smelt (Argentina silus) is an abundant benthopelagic species at depths greater that 200 m in the north-eastern North Sea and the Skagerrak. Mainly in April–May, adults concentrate to spawn in the deepest parts. Juveniles inhabit shallower marginal areas year-round. Some 30–35 age-groups occur and spawning concentrations are dominated by 20-year-old and older individuals. Age at first spawning, as determined from otoliths, is 4–9 years, usually 6 years. Females grow larger than males, asymptotic lengths being 42.6 and 40.3 cm, respectively. © 1993 Conseil International pour l’Exploration de la Mer.