Batch Fecundity and Spawning Frequency of Sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) off the Pacific Coast of Mexico

Abstract

To estimate batch fecundity and spawning frequency of the sailfish, Istiophorus platypterus Shaw & Nodder, off the Pacific coast of Mexico, gonads from fish sampled at five tourist ports from 1989 to 1991 were histologically analyzed. Mean batch fecundity, estimated by the gravimetric method, for 21 females was 1,710,000 ± 600,000 eggs per spawning. The relationship between batch fecundity in thousands (F) and total weight of the fish in kilograms (w) was F = -245 + 61.68 w. Of 93 mature females, 28% with hydrated oocytes indicated that the average interval between spawnings was 3.6 days.