Primary growth rings in Blue Whiting otoliths
Original version
This report is not to be quoted without prior consultation with the General Secretary.Abstract
To approach the problem of ageing blue whiting, acetat prints of the otoliths have been studied through a microscope. Primary growth rings have been counted, and provided that these are formed daily, the hatching time could be estimated The growth rate was found to reach a maximum when the fish is about two months old, and the results of the analysis further suggest that the blue whiting may reach a size of 20-25 cm within its first year of life.