Reproduction and Embryonic Development of Spiny Dogfish (Squalus acanthias) in the Strait of Georgia, British Columbia

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Abstract
Lengths at 50% maturity of spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) in the Strait of Georgia, B.C., are 78.5 and 93.5 cm, corresponding to ages 19 and 29 yr, for males and females, respectively. Modal lengths of mature males and females are 85 and 100 cm, respectively.Mating occurs from October to January, with a peak in December. Males are capable of mating every year, with smaller dogfish mating earlier in the year than larger ones. Females mate every 2nd yr. Ovulation of 4 cm diam eggs closely follows mating. The fertilized eggs are enclosed in gelatinous capsules for 4 mo after which the embryos are released into the uterine cavity. The external yolk supply of the embryos is totally absorbed by parturition, although the internal yolk is not fully utilized until 2 mo later. Parturition occurs from September to January, with a peak in November. Gestation is roughly 23 mo. Breeding females produce a mean of 7.14 progeny.These population characteristics indicate that regulation of a future fishery should be by total catch limit rather than net mesh size selection. Key words: spiny dogfish, reproduction, length distribution, survivorship, fecundity, fishery regulation

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