Integrating methods for determining length-at-age to improve growth estimates for two large scombrids

Fish growth is commonly estimated from length-at-age data obtained from otoliths. There are several techniques for estimating length-at-age from otoliths including 1) direct observed counts of annual increments; 2) age adjustment based on a categorization of otolith margins; 3) age adjustment based on known periods of spawning and annuli formation; 4) back-calculation to all annuli, and 5) back-calculation to the last annulus only. In this study we compared growth estimates (von Bertalanffy growth functions) obtained from the above five methods for estimating length-at-age from otoliths for two large scombrids: narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) and broad-barred king mackerel (Scomberomorus semifasciatus). Likelihood ratio tests revealed that the largest differences in growth occurred between the back-calculation methods and the observed and adjusted methods for both species of mackerel. The pattern, however, was more pronounced for S. commerson than for S. semifasciatus, because of the pronounced effect of gear selectivity demonstrated for S. commerson. We propose a method of substituting length-at-age data from observed or adjusted methods with back-calculated length-at-age data to provide more appropriate estimates of population growth than those obtained with the individual methods alone, particularly when faster growing young fish are disproportionately selected for. Substitution of observed or adjusted length-at-age data with back-calculated length-at-age data provided more realistic estimates of length for younger ages than observed or adjusted methods as well as more realistic estimates of mean maximum length than those derived from backcalculation methods alone.

Age and growth of swordfish (Xiphias gladius) caught by the Hawaii-based pelagic longline fishery

We verified the age and growth of swordfish (Xiphias gla-dius) by comparing ages determined from annuli in fin ray sections with daily growth increments in otoliths. Growth of swordfish of exploitable sizes is described on the basis of annuli present in cross sections of the second ray of the first anal fins of 1292 specimens (60−260 cm eye-to-fork length, EFL) caught in the region of the Hawaii-based pelagic longline fishery. The position of the initial fin ray annulus of swordfish was verified for the first time with the use of scanning electron micrographs of presumed daily growth increments present in the otoliths of juveniles. Fish growth through age 7 was validated by marginal increment analysis. Faster growth of females was confirmed, and the standard von Bertalanffy growth model was identified as the most parsimonious for describing growth in length for fish greater than 60 cm EFL. The observed growth of three fish, a year-old in size when first caught and then recaptured from 364 to1490 days later, is consistent with modeled growth for fish of this size range. Our novel approach to verifying age and growth should increase confidence in conducting an age-structured stock assessment for swordfish in the North Pacific Ocean.

Age and growth of the bastard grunt (Pomadasys incisus: Haemulidae) inhabiting the Canarian archipelago, Northwest Africa

The bastard grunt (Pomadasys incisus) is one of the most abundant coastal demersal fishes inhabiting the Canary Islands. Age and growth were studied from samples collected between October 2000 and September 2001. Growth analysis revealed that this species is a fast growing and moderately short-lived species (ages up to seven years recorded). Length-at-age was described by the von Bertalanffy growth model (L∞=309.58 mm; k=0.220/year; t0=–1.865 year), the Schnute growth model (y1=126.66 mm; y2=293.50 mm; a=–0.426; b= 5.963), and the seasonalized von Bertalanffy growth model (L∞=309.93 mm; k=0.218/ year; t0= –1.896 year; C=0.555; ts=0.652). Individuals grow quickly in their first year, attaining approximately 60% of their maximum length; after the first year, their growth rate drops rapidly as energy is probably diverted to reproduction. The parameters of the von Bertalanffy weight growth curve were W∞=788.22 mm; k=0.1567/year; t0= –1.984 year. Fish total length and otolith radius were closely correlated, r2=0.912. A power relationship was estimated between the total length and the otolith radius (a=49.93; ν=0.851). A year’s growth was represented by an opaque and hyaline (translucent) zone—an annulus. Backcalculated lengths were similar to those predicted by the growth models. Growth parameters estimated from the backcalculated sizes at age were L∞=315.23 mm; k=0.217/year; and t0= –1.73 year.

Age, growth, and reproduction of permit (Trachinotus falcatus) in Florida waters

We examined 536 permit (Trachinotus falcatus, 65–916 mm FL) collected from the waters of Florida Keys and from the Tampa Bay area on Florida’s Gulf coast to describe their growth and reproduction.Among permit that we sexed, females ranged from 266 to 916 mm in length (mean=617) and males ranged from 274 to 855 mm (mean=601). Ages of 297 permit ranging from 102 to 900 mm FL were estimated from thin-sectioned otoliths (sagittae). The large proportion of otoliths with an annulus on the margin and an otolith from an OTC-injected fish suggested that a single annulus was formed each year during late spring or early summer.Permit reach a maximum age of at least 23 years.Permit grew rapidly until an age of about five years, and then growth slowed considerably. Male and female von Bertalanffy growth models were not significantly different, and the sexes-combined growth model was FL=753.1(1–e –0.348(Age+0.585)). Gonad development was seasonal, and spawning occurred during late spring and summer over artificial and natural reefs at depths of 10–30 m. Ovaries that contained oocytes in the final stages of oocyte maturation or postovulatory follicles were found during May–July. We estimated that 50% of the females in the population had reached sexual maturity by 547 mm and an age of 3.1 years and that 50% of the males in the population had reached sexual maturity by 486 mm and an age of 2.3 years. Because Florida regulations restrict the maximum size of permit caught in recreational and commercial fisheries to 20-inch (508-mm), most fish harvested are sexually immature. With the current size selectivity of the fishery, the spawning stock biomass of permit could decrease quickly in response to moderate levels of fishing mortality; thus, the regulations in place in Florida to restrict harvest levels appear to be justified.

An evaluation of back-calculation methodology using simulated otolith data

I simulated somatic growth and accompanying otolith growth using an individual-based bioenergetics model in order to examine the performance of several back-calculation methods. Four shapes of otolith radius-total length relations (OR-TL) were simulated. Ten different back-calculation equations, two different regression models of radius length, and two schemes of annulus selection were examined for a total of 20 different methods to estimate size at age from simulated data sets of length and annulus measurements. The accuracy of each of the twenty methods was evaluated by comparing the back-calculated length-at-age and the true length-at-age. The best back-calculation technique was directly related to how well the OR-TL model fitted. When the OR-TL was sigmoid shaped and all annuli were used, employing a least squares linear regression coupled with a log-transformed Lee back-calculation equation (y-intercept corrected) resulted in the least error; when only the last annulus was used, employing a direct proportionality back-calculation equation resulted in the least error. When the OR-TL was linear, employing a functional regression coupled with the Lee back-calculation equation resulted in the least error when all annuli were used, and also when only the last annulus was used. If the OR-TL was exponentially shaped, direct substitution into the fitted quadratic equation resulted in the least error when all annuli were used, and when only the last annulus was used. Finally, an asymptotically shaped OR-TL was best modeled by the individually corrected Weibull cumulative distribution function when all annuli were used, and when only the last annulus was used.