Age and growth of redfish (Sebastes marinus, S. mentella, and S. fasciatus) on the Flemish Cap (Northwest Atlantic)

• Published in: ICES Journal of Marine Science
• Main Authors: Saborido-Rey, Fran, Garabana, Dolores, Cerviño, Santiago
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: International Council for the Exploration of the Sea 2004
• Subjects: age determination; Growth; Redfish; Validation; Varadero; Northwest Atlantic; Sebastes mentella
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10261/9440; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icesjms.2003.11.003

12 pages, 5 figures.-- Presented at the NAFO Deep-Sea Fisheries Symposium (Varadero, Cuba, Sep 12-14, 2001). Age determination of redfish is difficult. In this paper, the ages of Sebastes mentella on the Flemish Cap are validated by following year classes from 1991 to 2000. The criteria used for S. mentella are consistent and coherent. The growth of different year classes is described and compared, and density-dependence is demonstrated to influence the growth rate of the strong 1990 year class, growth of that year class being the slowest of those followed. The slow rate of growth prevented that year class from maturing at the anticipated age. Growth is also compared between sexes, of S. mentella, S. marinus, and S. fasciatus, revealing that females grow faster than males. Finally, growth rate is compared among species. S. marinus grows fastest and S. mentella slowest, although the influence of density-dependent growth in S. mentella needs to be taken into consideration. The study was supported by the European Commission through several research projects. Peer reviewed