Age determination and growth of Squalus blainvillei (Risso, 1826)

During 13 trawl surveys carried out in the Sicilian Channel between 1985 and 1991, about 2300 specimens of Squalus blainvillei were caught. Ages were determined by examination of vertebrae, and growth parameters were estimated by a statistical fit to the Von Bertanlaffy function. The estimated growth parameters are L∞ = 117.9 cm, k = 0.102 and t0 = −1.380 for females, and L∞ = 96.0 cm, fk = 0.135 and t0 = −1.397 for males. The length-weight relationship (W = aLb) and maturity stages were determined separately for each sex: for females a = 0.0037 and b = 3.0688, for males a = 0.0033 and b = 3.0919. The analysis of sexual maturity revealed that reproduction takes place throughout the year.