Reproductive traits and natural mortality of the cardinalfish Epigonus crassicaudus: crucial information for stock assessment and sustainable management measures

Reproductive traits and natural mortality rate of cardinalfish females ( Epigonus crassicaudus ) were studied from samples collected onboard commercial fishing vessels, from 2012 to 2015, on the Chilean coast. The reproductive cycles of females analyzed thought gonadosomatic index (GSI) showed a maximum reproductive activity in austral fall, between March and May. Length (L 50% ) and age (A 50% ) at maturity, estimated using a macroscopic scale of the developed ovary, was 22.3 cm fork length (FL) and 9.3 years, respectively. Natural mortality (M) was estimated by two age-related methods. Using maximum age (tmax) M was estimated in 0.063 yr -1 and through age-at-maturity (A 50% ) in 0.15 yr -1 . A potential bias in the reproductive study is discussed when a macroscopic maturity scale is used. Nevertheless, its usefulness is validated when funding is scarce, and time is limited. Although M uncertainty was not evaluated, the estimated range appears to be into the expected values to long-lived species. The life history parameters estimated in the present study can be used to evaluate possible time variability in maturity and M rates. Also, these results could be used in stock assessment analysis and to apply effective management measures in the fishery.