Abundance, feeding ecology and growth of 0-group sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, within the nursery areas of the Tagus estuary

The spatio-temporal abundance pattern of 0-group sea bass, Dicentrarchus la brax, was investigated between April 1995 and November 1996 by beam trawl s urveys. The highest densities of D. labrax were recorded in shallow areas. Dicentrarchus labrax density was also significantly related to water temper ature and salinity, but the variation pattern was not linear. The 0-group i ndividuals of this species first occurred on the nursery ground in May and the highest densities were recorded in June. Diet of 0-group D. labrax was mainly composed of crustaceans, the most important food items being Decapod a, Mysidacea and Isopoda. Feeding activity increased during summer. Short-t erm variations were related to the period of the day and tidal cycle. The g rowth rate determined for 0-group D. labrax was higher than those reported for the UK and northern France, and was similar to those obtained in easter n Mediterranean.