Effect of the Impact of Environmental Factors on the Diet of Horse Mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) from the Coasts of the Moroccan

The study focuses on the description of the effect of environmental factors on the feeding regime of horse mackerel Trachurus trachurus (Linnaeus, 1758) on the North Moroccan Atlantic coast, sampling was carried out from July 2021 to March 2022 at the port of Tangier and Larache (35°47.2 N; 05°48.5W/ 35°11N; 06°10.2W), individuals measured between 16.5 and 47.6 cm and presented between 38 and 476 g. The stomach content analysis of the individuals showed that the diet of T. trachurus is diversified, composed of at least three types of prey were identified teleost, crustaceans, and copepods which represent its preferential prey, the diet is differentiated according to the seasons and the sex. In addition, the variations in the feeding regime of the individuals were correlated with environmental factors such as upwelling, temperature and chlorophyll a concentration, and dissolved oxygen. The results show that the feeding regime varies according to oceanographic factors, with different responses to biotic and abiotic factors.