Age determination of Northeast Atlantic Sebastes species

Abstract

Uncertainty exists concerning the validity of age determination methods for redfish species owing to the various procedures in use. North American scientists routinely use otoliths, whilst European scientists have preferred to use scales for aging commercial rockfish and redfish species. This study presents the results of comparative age readings conducted in different countries, using both scales and otoliths from the same specimens of Sebastes marinus and S. mentella. Age readings conducted in Norway supplement the material. The study is an attempt to establish the best aging procedure for S. marinus, S. mentella. and S. viviparus in the Northeast Atlantic. The results for S. mentella are compared with independent growth data obtained by following the strong 1982 year class. It is concluded that the otolith. when broken and burnt, gives the most correct age determinations for these three redfish species.