Fisheries Research Articles

Age estimation and otolith characteristics of an unusually old, red emperor snapper (Lutjanus sebae) captured off the Kimberley coast of north-western Australia

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-20-2010

Journal Title

Journal of Applied Ichthyology

ISSN

Print: 0175-8659 Electronic: 1439-0426

Keywords

Red emperor snapper, Lutjanus sebae, Demography, Low population productivity, Fishery management, Western Australia

Disciplines

Aquaculture and Fisheries | Natural Resources and Conservation | Natural Resources Management and Policy | Population Biology | Survival Analysis | Sustainability

Abstract

In October 2006, an unusually old, red emperor snapper, Lutjanus sebae, was captured using fish traps off the north coast of Western Australia. Despite being very old the specimen was not exceptionally large, measuring 516 mm fork length. Of particular note was the fact the specimen was female, as female L. sebae do not attain the large sizes at age of male fish. Interpretation of the sectioned sagittal otolith was used to estimate an age of approximately 40 years. This is the oldest recorded age for an individual L. sebae and further contributes towards the knowledge of the demography of this species. The advanced age recorded for this specimen also confirms the low rates of natural mortality for L. sebae and therefore low population productivity and supports the precautionary management arrangements for this species in north-western Australia.

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Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0426.2009.01362.x