Abstract: This work aims to understand and visualize the influence of environmental
parameters (temperature, salinity and chlorophyll-a) on algerian coastal small pelagic
fisheries. Indeed, the objective of this study is to explore these interactions using spatial
mapping (GIS) methods and statistical analysis of environmental and fishing data. This study
is based on data from the ALPEL 2014 campaign carried out by the Algerian fishing sector
(MPPH-CNRDPA, 2014). An examination of small pelagic catches expressed by the
abundances of Sardinella aurita and Sardina pilchardus was carried out; and this, in relation
to the environmental factors noted during this campaign in the fishing zones.
Our results show that certain environmental parameters have a significant impact on the
distribution, biology and abundance of these small pelagics in coastal areas. It is revealed that
there is a positive correlation between the evolution of Sardina pilchardus abundance with
salinity and temperature, and a positive correlation between the evolution of Sardinella aurita
abundance with salinity followed by chlorophyll-a.
Biological parameters such as sex ratio, size structure and maturity rate of both S. pilchardus
and S. aurita appear to be directly influenced by environmental parameters, notably salinity,
chlorophyll and temperature.
This cartographic analysis is a crucial step towards a better understanding of the complex
interactions and useful information in the process of sustainable management of marine
resources.
Keywords: S. pilchardus, S. aurita, environmental parameters, interaction, mapping.