Stock structure of the blue threadfin (Eleutheronema tetradactylum) across northern Australia derived from life-history characteristics

Authors

Aaron C. Ballagh, James Cook University, Queensland
David J. Welch, James Cook University, Australia
Stephen J. Newman, Department of Fisheries, Western AustraliaFollow
Quentin Allsop, NT Fisheries, Department of Resources, Darwin, Northen Territory, Australia
Jason Stapley, Queensland, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Northern Fisheries Centre, Australia

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-14-2012

Journal Title

Fisheries Research

ISSN

Print: 0165-7836 Electronic: 1872-6763

Keywords

Eleutheronema tetradactylum, Blue threadfin, Stock structure, Life-history characteristics, Back-calculation, Growth, Morphometrics

Disciplines

Aquaculture and Fisheries | Behavior and Ethology | Laboratory and Basic Science Research | Marine Biology | Natural Resources and Conservation | Natural Resources Management and Policy | Population Biology | Sustainability

Abstract

Life history characteristics were used to determine the stock structure of the polynemid Eleutheronema tetradactylum across northern Australia. Growth, estimated from back-calculated length-at-age from sagittal otoliths, and length at sex change were estimated from samples collected from 12 different locations across western, northern and eastern Australia between 2007 and 2009. Comparison of back-calculated length-at-age, growth and length at sex change between locations revealed significant variation in the life-history characteristics of E. tetradactylum across northern Australia, with significant differences detected in 43 of 45 location comparisons. Differences in otolith size relative to fish length also existed amongst locations. No differences in other morphometric relationships were detected. The results of this study provide evidence for a high degree of spatial population subdivision for E. tetradactylum across northern Australia, the finding of which has implications for E. tetradactylum fisheries throughout its range, and provides a biological basis for spatial management of the species in Australia.

Recommended Citation

Aaron C. Ballagh, David J. Welch, Stephen J. Newman, Quentin Allsop, Jason M. Stapley, Stock structure of the blue threadfin (Eleutheronema tetradactylum) across northern Australia derived from life-history characteristics, Fisheries Research, Volumes 121–122, 2012, Pages 63-72, ISSN 0165 7836, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2012.01.011.