River Exe Scale Reading Investigation. 5th Annual Report for the 1970 Season

This is the 5th Annual Report of the Rive Exe Scale Reading Investigation for the 1970 season by the Devon River Authority. The object of this investigation is to examine, by means of scale reading, the biology of age classes of the salmon population of the River Exe. It reviews the methods used for the collection of scales and examination of the materials. It shows the results of the survey and the number of scales studied from each of the various sea-age classes, time of running with distribution of the sea-age groups throughout the season, fish sizes and smolt ages at migration. All is summarized in tables, and figures are included showing weight distributions for each age classes and frequency distributions.

River Exe Scale Reading Investigation. 6th Annual Report for the 1971 Season.

This is the 6th Annual Report of the Rive Exe Scale Reading Investigation for the 1971 Season by the Devon River Authority. The object of this investigation is to examine, by means of scale reading, the biology of age classes of the salmon population of the River Exe. It reviews the methods used for the collection of scales and examination of the materials. It shows the results of the survey and the number of scales studied from each of the various sea-age classes, time of running with distribution of the sea-age groups throughout the season, fish sizes and smolt ages at migration. All is summarized in tables, and figures are included showing weight distributions for each age classes and frequency distributions.

River Exe Scale Reading Investigation. 7th Annual Report for the 1972 season

This is the 7th Annual Report of the Rive Exe Scale Reading Investigation for the 1972 Season by the Devon River Authority. The object of this investigation is to examine, by means of scale reading, the biology of age classes of the salmon population of the River Exe. It reviews the methods used for the collection of scales and examination of the materials. It shows the results of the survey and the number of scales studied from each of the various sea-age classes, time of running with distribution of the sea-age groups throughout the season, fish sizes and smolt ages at migration. All is summarized in tables, and figures are included showing weight distributions for each age classes and frequency distributions.

Rivers Taw and Torridge scale reading investigation. 8th annual report for the 1972 season

This is the Rivers Taw and Torridge scale reading investigation: the 8th annual report for the 1972 season produced by Devon River Authority in 1973. The object of the investigation is to examine by means of scale reading the biology of age classes of the salmon populations of the Rivers Taw and Torridge. The report is arranged in sections as previously and tables referred to in the report form an appendix. Scales were collected only from fish taken during the normal open season, which in 1972 was 1st April - 31st August. A weekly close time was in operation for the nets, a period of 60 hours from 6 p.m. on Friday evening to 6 a.m. on the following Monday. Thirty six licences for draft or seine nets were issued for the 1972 season and netsmen submitted samples of scales collected direct.

Sex-specific growth and mortality, spawning season, and female maturation of the stripey bass (Lutjanus carponotatus) on the Great Barrrier Reef

Sex-specific demography and reproductive biology of stripey bass (Lutjanus carponotatus) (also known as Spanish flag snapper, FAO) were examined at the Palm and Lizard island groups, Great Barrier Reef (GBR).Total mortality rates were similar between the sexes. Males had larger L∞ at both island groups and Lizard Island group fish had larger overall L∞. Female:male sex ratios were 1.3 and 1.1 at the Palm and Lizard island groups, respectively. The former is statistically different from 1, but is unlikely significantly different in a biological sense. Females matured on average at 2 years of age and 190 mm fork length at both locations. Female gonadal lipid body indices peaked from August through October, preceding peak gonadosomatic indices in October, November, and December that were twice as great as in any other month. However, ovarian staging revealed 50% or more ovaries were ripe from September through February, suggesting a more protracted spawning season and highlighting the different interpretations that can arise between gonad weight and gonad staging methods. Gonadosomatic index increases slightly with body size and larger fish have a longer average spawning season, which suggests that larger fish produce greater relative reproductive output. Lizard Island group females had ovaries nearly twice as large as Palm Island group females at a given body size. However, it is unclear whether this reflects spatial differences akin to those observed in growth or effects of sampling Lizard Island group fish closer to their date of spawning. These results support an existing 250 mm minimum size limit for L. carponotatus on the GBR, as well as the timing of a proposed October through December spawning closure for the fishery. The results also caution against assessing reef-fish stocks without reference to sex-, size-, and location-specific biological traits.

Fecundity and spawning season of striped mullet (Mugil cephalus L.) in South Carolina estuaries

Fecundity in striped mullet (Mugil cephalus) from South Carolina correlated highly with length and weight, but not with age. Oocyte counts ranged from 4.47 × 105 to 2.52 × 106 in 1998 for fish ranging in size from 331 mm to 600 mm total length, 2.13 × 105to 3.89 × 106in 1999 for fish ranging in size from 332 mm to 588 mm total length, and 3.89 × 105 to 3.01 × 106 in 2000 for fish ranging in size from 325 mm to 592 mm total length. The striped mullet in this study had a high degree of variability in the size-at-age relation-ship; this variability was indicative of varied growth rates and compounded the errors in estimating fecundity at age. The stronger relationship of fecundity to fish size allowed a much better predictive model for potential fecundity in striped mullet. By comparing fecundity with other measures of reproductive activity, such as the gonadosomatic index, histological examination, and the measurement of mean oocyte diameters, we determined that none of these methods by themselves were adequate to determine the extent of reproductive development. Histological examinations and oocyte diameter measurements revealed that fecundity counts could be made once developing oocytes reached 0.400 μm or larger. Striped mullet are isochronal spawners; therefore fecundity estimates for this species are easier to determine because oocytes develop at approximately the same rate upon reaching 400 μm. This uniform development made oocytes that were to be spawned easier to count. When fecundity counts were used in conjunction with histological examination, oocyte diameter measurements, and gonadosomatic index, a more complete measure of reproductive potential and the timing of the spawning season was possible. In addition, it was determined that striped mullet that recruit into South Carolina estuaries spawn from October through April.