Growth of the Barents Sea capelin of the year-classes 1967-70

Abstract

Otoliths of the 1967-70 year-classes of the Barents Sea capelin have been analyzed. For otoliths with radius < 0,74 mm there was a close, linear relation between fish length and otolith radia. For larger otoliths the correlation was less strong. Radia of the first hyaline zones, measured in fish 1, 2 and 3 years old showed no significant differences between the year classes, although measurements made on 1 year old fish were significantly different if analyzed separately. The radia of the second and third zones were different at the 5 % level. Back-calculation showed that the 1967 and 1968 year-classes had a similar growth pattern. The 1969 year-class showed faster growth between age 1 and 2 years. The young fish of the 1970 year-class was similar to those of 1967 and 1968.