Application of the otolith weight – age relationship for the pilchard, Sardinops sagax neopilchardus

1995 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 657-664 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. Fletcher

Adult pilchard (Sardinops sagax neopilchardus) from southwestern Australia held in fish cages for 1 year showed minimal increase in mean length but a steady increase in mean otolith weight (1.61–1.83 mg); this increase (0.22 mg) closely parallels the previously calculated mean difference between adjacent age classes (0.24 mg). Modes in otolith weight frequency distributions of fishery-caught pilchards, previously suggested as corresponding with separate year classes, generally persisted and progressed through subsequent samples. By contrast, fish length frequency distributions of these samples showed no consistent modal progression. The average weight of otoliths for year classes 2–8 were used to calculate growth rates: following sexual maturity, at age 2, males grew to a significantly smaller maximum size than females (L∞ = 162 and 172 mm respectively). The otolith weight – age relationship, validated by following a cohort of unusually low abundance as it moved through the fishery, indicated that recruitment to the fishery generally began at age 2 but was not complete until age 4. These data have been successfully used in forecasting the catch rate of the fishery up to 2 years in advance and providing an estimate of the rate for natural mortality of 0.43.

1979 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
AJ Butler ◽  
FJ Brewster

Fourteen random samples of Pinna bicolor were collected over a period of 31 months from 6 m depth in Gulf St Vincent off Edithburgh, South Australia. The length-frequency distributions suggest that: P. bicolor larvae settle in spring but with variable success; growth of newly settled young is rapid over summer; by age 1 year their modal shell length is about 20 cm; by age 2 it is about 26 cm; they may survive substantially longer than 3 years so that a length-class of mode c. 35 cm is always present and is composed of several age-classes not necessarily equally represented. These suggestions are corroborated by limited data on adductor muscle scars, the development of epibiota on the shells, and the growth and survival of tagged animals over 9 months.


<em>Abstract</em>.—A population assessment of Muskellunge <em>Esox masquinongy </em>in two connected north-central Minnesota lakes allowed evaluation of angler data when assessing various population metrics, including the residual effects of historical stocking efforts, as a nonlocal strain had been introduced into the native population during the 1970s. In 2012, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources sampled and marked Muskellunge using trap nets during the prespawn and spawning periods and electrofishing during the postspawn period, while anglers collected data from fish caught during the 2012 open-water season. Anglers released all fish after collecting a scale for genetic analysis. Microsatellite DNA genotypes were used to differentiate individuals, thus identifying recaptures, and to estimate ancestry derived from the stocked strain. Anglers reported catching 16% of individuals marked by biologists. Of Muskellunge reported by anglers, 78% were from the lake where they were initially captured while 22% were reported in the lake opposite their initial capture. Postspawn movements suggested that more individuals migrated from the lake characterized as having preferred spawning and nursery habitat to the lake characterized as having preferred summer habitat and prey. The age- and length-frequency distributions of fish captured by anglers and trap nets were similar, while electrofishing sampled younger and smaller fish, likely because it occurred postspawn when many adults had moved off shore. The best estimate of adult population size was produced by a model incorporating fish length as a covariate. Density was estimated at 0.70 adults per ha or 1.92 adults per littoral ha. Higher percentages of nonlocal ancestry were associated with smaller maximum size potential (<em>L<sub></em>∞</sub> ) in von Bertalanffy growth models. Our study described key population characteristics for a Muskellunge population while demonstrating that anglers could reliably collect several specific types of data that supplement data collected by management agencies.


1999 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 103 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. L. Horn ◽  
R. J. Hurst

Age determination of gemfish by counting hyaline zones in otoliths was validated by following the progression of modes in length–frequency distributions and the progression of strong and weak year classes in age–frequency distributions. Length–frequency and otolith samples were examined from four areas (west Northland, east Northland and Bay of Plenty, Wairarapa coast, and the Stewart- Snares shelf). Age–frequency distributions and von Bertalanffy growth parameters were calculated and compared between areas. Two gemfish stocks are indicated on the basis of patterns of year class strengths, trends in commercial landings and likely spawning areas; one off the east and north of the North Island, and another off the west and south of the South Island. Estimates of natural mortality are presented for the two stocks.


1983 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 451 ◽  
Author(s):  
TM Berra ◽  
PL Cadwallader

The age and growth of Australian grayling were studied in 1203 individuals collected from the Tambo River, Victoria, between January and November 1979. Scales from 667 grayling were examined. The scale method of age determination was validated by the analysis of seasonal changes in the pattern of scale growth and by correspondence between ages inferred from length-frequency distributions and ages determined by scale readings. One annulus is formed on the scale by October. Most (88%) grayling belonged to the 1+ and 2+ age-classes; fish aged 3+ and 4+ made up 11% of the collection, and fish aged 5+ less than 1%. Size increased from January until May; growth ceased during winter and resumed in September. There was no difference in growth between the sexes. The largest grayling collected was a female of 253 mm fork length (Lf). The overall length-weight relationship was W = 2 715 × 10-6Lf3 2764. The relationship between total length (Lt) and Lf was Lt = 0.93 16 + 1.0742 Lf, and between standard length (Ls) and Lf was Ls = 0.8007 + 0.9095 Lf The overall ratio of males to females was 56 : 44.


1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 272-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. K. Cone ◽  
M. D. B. Burt

The population biology of Urocleidus adspectus parasitizing gills of Perca flavescens in a small New Brunswick lake is described. The parasite has an annual cycle in which worms overwinter as inactive adults. In spring, they lay eggs and many worms die. A short generation time (14 days at 20 °C) allows transmission throughout summer and well into fall. Perch acquire infections during the first few months of life and thereafter annually lose and reacquire infections. The intensity of U. adspectus peaks during July and generally increases with age of the host. Length–frequency distributions of parasites on four host age-classes (1, 2, 3–4, and 5 and older) indicate that they grow larger on larger hosts. Seasonal monitoring of length–frequency distributions revealed that spring growth of overwintering worms and onset of spring invasion commence earlier on mature perch than on immature perch. The results are discussed in relation to our understanding of fish parasite populations in small lakes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sana Sharifian ◽  
Vahid Malekzadeh ◽  
Ehsan Kamrani ◽  
Mohsen Safaie

Abstract Background Dotillid crabs are introduced as one common dwellers of sandy shores. We studied the ecology and growth of the sand bubbler crab Scopimera crabricauda Alcock, 1900, in the Persian Gulf, Iran. Crabs were sampled monthly by excavating nine quadrats at three intertidal levels during spring low tides from January 2016 to January 2017. Results Population data show unimodal size-frequency distributions in both sexes. The Von Bertalanffy function was calculated at CWt = 8.76 [1 − exp (− 0.56 (t + 0.39))], CWt = 7.90 [1 − exp (− 0.59 (t + 0.40))] and CWt = 9.35 [1 − exp (− 0.57 (t + 0.41))] for males, females, and both sexes, respectively. The life span appeared to be 5.35, 5.07, and 5.26 years for males, females, and both sexes, respectively. The cohorts were identified as two age continuous groups, with the mean model carapace width 5.39 and 7.11 mm for both sexes. The natural mortality (M) coefficients stood at 1.72 for males, 1.83 for females, and 1.76 years−1 for both sexes, respectively. The overall sex ratio (1:0.4) was significantly different from the expected 1:1 proportion with male-biased. Recruitment occurred with the highest number of annual pulse once a year during the summer. Conclusions The results, which show slow growth, emphasize the necessity of proper management for the survival of the stock of S. crabricauda on the Iranian coast of the Persian Gulf.


2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (7) ◽  
pp. 2125-2139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanja Miethe ◽  
Yves Reecht ◽  
Helen Dobby

Abstract In the absence of abundance indices from scientific surveys or commercial sources, reliable length frequency data from sampled commercial catches can be used to provide an indirect assessment of fishing mortality. Length-based indicators are simple metrics which describe length frequency distributions. The length-based indicator Lmax5%, the mean length of the largest 5% of individuals in the catch, combined with appropriately selected reference points, can be used to evaluate the presence of very large individuals in the catch and hence determine exploitation level. Using analytical per-recruit models, we derive reference points consistent with a spawning potential ratio of 40%. The reference points depend on the life history parameters for natural mortality, maturity, and growth (M, Lmat, L∞, k, CVL∞). Using available simulation tools, we investigate the sensitivity of the reference points to errors in these parameters and explore the usefulness of particular reference points for management purposes for stocks with different life histories. The proposed reference points are robust to uncertainty in length at first capture, Lc, and take into account the maturation schedule of a species. For those stocks with high M/k ratios (&gt;1), Lmax5%, combined with the appropriate reference point, can be used to provide a data-limited stock assessment.


1981 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 605 ◽  
Author(s):  
CF Chubb ◽  
IC Potter ◽  
CJ Grant ◽  
RCJ Lenanton ◽  
J Wallace

The age structure, growth rates and movements of M. cephalus and A forsteri in the Swan-Avon river system have been investigated using data obtained from beach seining and gill netting carried out between February 1977 and June 1980. Length-frequency data and scale readings show that the populations of both species consist predominantly of 0+ and 1 + fish. From the times when the smallest fry (20-30 mm) were present in the lower part of the river system, and from the condition of the gonads of older fish, the breeding seasons of the sea and yellow-eye mullets have been estimated as extending from March to September and from March to August respectively. The bimodality or polymodality exhibited by the length-frequency distributions for the 0 + year classes suggest that in both species groups of individuals spawn at slightly different times. The range of mean total lengths and weights of animals caught in May near the end of the first year of life was 178-222 mm and 64-119 gin M. cephalus and 136-154 mm and 19-30 g in A. forsteri, which shows that the growth of each of these two species of mullet is relatively very rapid in the Swan-Avon river system. 1 + and 2 + fish tend to leave the estuary for varying periods. Although 0+ fish of both species utilized the shallow banks of the estuary throughout the year. the sea mullet moved further upstream and were not as consistently abundant in the lower estuary. Since 0+ yellow-eye mullet 40-100 mm long were also abundant in marine coastal waters between January and May. and sea mullet of comparable age were rarely observed in these regions, it would appear that M. cephalus is the more estuarine-dependent of the two species. Commercial catches of M. cephalus were greater than those of A. forsteri. This feature can be related in part to the much faster growth rate of M. cephalus, which results in a larger proportion of its youngest year classes reaching the minimum legal size for capture prior to the time when they leave the estuary in large numbers.


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 125
Author(s):  
Sevi Sawetri ◽  
Subagdja Subagdja ◽  
Dina Muthmainnah

The Malayan leaf fish or locally named as kepor (Pristolepis grooti) is one of important biotic components in Ranau Lake ecosystems. This study aimed to estimate population dynamic and exploitation rate of kepor in Ranau Lake, South Sumatera. The population parameters are estimated based on length frequency data which were collected in March to October 2013. Growth parameters and fishing mortality rates were calculated using FiSAT software package. The results showed that kepor’s growth was negative allometric, which tended to gain length faster than weight. Kepor population was dominated (42%) by individual length of 10.0 to 11.0 cm. Predicted length infinity (L) was 17.28 cm with high value of growth rates (K) of 1.4 year-1. The natural mortality rate (M) is 2.57 year-1, the fishing mortality rate (F) is 5.36 year-1 and total mortality rate (Z) is 7.93 year-1. The exploitation rate of Malayan leaf fish in Ranau Lake (E = 0.68 year-1) has passed the optimum score.  


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