Document Type

Article

Department/Program

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Publication Date

1994

Journal

Fishery Bulletin

Volume

92

Issue

3

First Page

555

Last Page

568

Abstract

Otoliths, scales, dorsal spines, and pectoral-fin rays were compared to ascertain the best hardpart for determining the age of weakfish, Cynoscion regalis. Each showed concentric marks, which could be interpreted as annuli. Sectioned otoliths, however, consistently showed the clearest marks, had 100% agreement between and within readers, and were validated by the marginal increment method for ages 1-5. This validated method of ageing weakfish was then compared with the traditionally used scale method. The scale method was less precise, as demonstrated by lower percent agreement, and generally assigned younger ages for fish older than age 6 (as determined by otoliths). Consequently, mean sizes at age based on scales showed no clear signs of an asymptote, whereas those based on otoliths did. Otolith annuli formed in April and May, whereas scale annulus formation was more variable, ranging from April to August. This extended time of annulus formation made scales poorly suited for back calculation.

Keywords

Back-Calculation; Growth; Fish; Sections; Length; Bight

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