Publication Date
5-2009
Series Number
184
Publisher
Department of Fisheries
City
Perth, Western Australia
ISBN
1 921258 38 1
ISSN
1035 - 4549
Abstract
Since 1997, research on snapper (Pagrus auratus, Sparidae) in the inner gulfs of Shark Bay has focussed on providing biological information required for the management of the regionally important recreational fishery. A major component of this research has been a comprehensive investigation of snapper reproductive biology to determine size and age at maturity, the timing of the spawning season and to estimate batch fecundity. This research has necessitated a review of the macroscopic staging system used for P. auratus in Western Australian waters and the development of a more detailed microscopic system to allow accurate analyses of histological material. Based on P. auratus gonads collected from the Eastern Gulf, Denham Sound and Freycinet Estuary areas of Shark Bay between 1998 and 2003, the objectives here were to
(i), produce an illustrated, relevant macroscopic staging system for P. auratus gonads that can be used in the future by personnel who have minimal experience in this area of research
(ii), develop a microscopic (histological) staging system that will allow more detailed analysis of spawning activity by female P. auratus and
(iii), use the understanding of cycles in spawning activity and results of histological analysis to improve the accuracy of batch fecundity estimates.
Number of Pages
36
Keywords
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Pagrus auratus (Sparidae)
Disciplines
Aquaculture and Fisheries | Environmental Sciences
Recommended Citation
Mackie, M., Jackson, G., Tapp, N., Norriss, J. and Thomson, A. 2009. Macroscopic and microscopic description of snapper (Pagrus auratus) gonads from Shark Bay, Western Australia. Fisheries Research Report No. 184. Department of Fisheries, Western Australia. 35 p.
