Viñas, J., Sanz, N., Peñarrubia, L., Araguas, R-M., García-Marín, J-L., Roldán, M-I., and Pla, C. 2014. Genetic population structure of European anchovy in the Mediterranean Sea and the Northeast Atlantic Ocean using sequence analysis of the mitochondrial DNA control region. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 71: 391–397. The European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) exhibits a complex population structure in the Mediterranean Sea and Northeast Atlantic Ocean. To resolve the population genetic structure of this species, we surveyed sequence variability in the mitochondrial (mtDNA) control region in samples (n = 563) from 13 locations in the Northeast Atlantic, the Bay of Biscay, and the Mediterranean Sea. Based on pairwise ΦSTs, SAMOVA, and multidimensional scaling, a complicated population structure composed of multiple populations emerged. Combining these results with those from previous population studies based on mitochondrial and nuclear markers, we identified nine genetically differentiated European anchovy populations: (i) Canary Islands; (ii) Cádiz; (iii) Alborán Sea; (iv) Garona; (v) Arcachon and Donostia; (vi) a large population in the northwestern Mediterranean, including Cadaqués, Gulf of Lyon, Elba, and Sicily; (vii) southern Adriatic; (viii) northern Adriatic; and (ix) Aegean Sea. We suggest that independent management strategies should be implemented for each genetically differentiated population, and, in cases where several fisheries stocks are recognized within an area of genetic homogeneity, each stock should be managed separately.

Sanz, N., García-Marín, J-L., Viñas, J., Roldán, M., and Pla, C. 2008. Spawning groups of European anchovy: population structure and management implications. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1635–1644. Samples of Engraulis encrasicolus from the western Mediterranean and the eastern Atlantic spawning groups were examined by protein electrophoresis to investigate their relevance in the genetic structure of European anchovy, and how they fit with the current definition of anchovy fisheries. Samples from an earlier study were also included in the analyses to assess the temporal genetic stability of spawning groups. Gene diversity analysis indicated greater differentiation between spawning groups within seas (GRS = 0.046) than between seas (GSEA = 0.022), and lesser differentiation between locations within spawning groups (GLR = 0.003), as well as genetic stability of spawning groups (GCL = 0.002). The six spawning groups apparently involved three genetic units according to Structure results, and the results of other analyses also suggested genetic differences between the two Atlantic spawning groups. The genetic substructure detected within the Atlantic agrees with the spawning groups, but does not fit easily with ICES Subdivisions. Based on these results, a revision of the current anchovy management in both Alboran Sea and Bay of Biscay areas is suggested.