The Biology and Stock Assessment of Merluccius merluccius (L.) in the Adriatic Sea: an Historical Review by Geographical Management Units. - Paper presented at the GFCM-SAC Working Group on Demersal Species. (Tunis, Tunisia 13th-16th March 2001)
The hake (Merluccius merluccius) is one of the main commercial and heavily exploited species of the demersal fishery of the coastal countries in the Adriatic Sea. This paper aims to critically review the existing information on the population dynamics and stock assessment of this resource. It is highlighted that, despite the fact that most of the research would indicate very high levels of fishery exploitation of the species for a long time, apparently fishery production has not experienced major crisis over the years. Some of the possible reasons behind this contradiction, which should be taken into account for future research, are discussed. Some programmes also relevant to the hake under implementation at basin level by the FAO-AdriaMed Project are reported.