Age determination of silver hake, Merluccius bilinearis, based on interpretation of otoliths and the application of relevant ageing conventions and criteria, is reviewed. The results of several workshops on ageing of silver hake are summarized, and the effects of age-related physiological factors, such as spawning, are considered in relation to guidelines for the consistent estimation of age. Growth curves and geographic variation in otolith morphology are discussed, and photographs of typical otoliths with interpretations of age are presented.
Language - English
Publisher - Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO), Dartmouth, N.S., Canada
Publication Date - December 1980
Publication Type - Journal Article
Descriptors - age determination, otoliths, silver hake
Guidelines for Age Determination of Silver Hake, Merluccius bilinearis, Using Otoliths