Fisheries research report No. 143 - Methods used in the collection, preparation and interpretation of narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) otoliths for a study of age and growth in Western Australia

Authors

Paul Lewis, Department of Primary Industries and Regional DevelopmentFollow
M. C. Mackie, Department of Fisheries

Publication Date

12-2002

Series Number

143

Publisher

Department of Fisheries

City

Perth, Western Australia

ISBN

1 877098 12 4

ISSN

1035 - 4549

Abstract

The narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) is wide ranging throughout the Indo-West Pacific region where it has been the subject of various age and growth studies. Methods used in these studies have varied considerably and in some cases may have led to misleading conclusions. The purpose of this report, therefore, is to document in detail the methods used in determining the age and growth during a FRDC funded stock assessment of the species in the waters off Western Australia. These methods are considered to optimise the collection, processing, accuracy of microincrement counts, and interpretation of the annuli in both whole and sectioned sagittal otoliths from S. commerson. Thus this report serves as a reference for the methods used and a guide for future cost effective monitoring of the age and growth of S. commerson and similar species.

Number of Pages

29

Keywords

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Scomberomorus commerson, otoliths, stock assessment

Disciplines

Aquaculture and Fisheries | Environmental Sciences | Marine Biology | Population Biology | Research Methods in Life Sciences

Recommended Citation

Lewis P.D. and Mackie, M. 2002. Methods used in the collection, preparation and interpretation of narrow-barred Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) otoliths for a study of age and growth in Western Australia, Fisheries Research Report No. 143, Department of Fisheries, Western Australia, 23p.