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Research article2024Peer reviewedOpen access

Otolith sectioning reveals higher maximum age in greater weever (Trachinus draco)

Mion, Monica; Orio, Alessandro; Loevgren, Johan; Vitale, Francesca; Cardinale, Massimiliano

Abstract

Growth and maximum age are two key parameters that inform resilience of fish populations to exploitation. Existing information on those for greater weever inhabiting the eastern North Sea is based on the analysis of whole otoliths. Here, we present a reanalysis using sectioned otoliths. The results reveal a different growth pattern and a higher maximum age than that previously reported. The higher maximum age makes greater weever populations more vulnerable to exploitation. Such information can serve as a basis for the estimation of the growth curve that can be used for future assessment of the species.

Keywords

ageing; growth; maximum age; North Sea; otolith sectioning

Published in

Journal of Fish Biology
2024,
Publisher: WILEY