Lead–radium dating of Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) – validation of the young-fish scenario

Abstract

Age readers disagree on the age reading interpretation of otolith growth patterns for the Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus). One interpretation describes a young-fish scenario with a life span near 10–12 years, whereas another interpretation describes an old-fish scenario at more than 30 years. In this study, lead–radium dating was performed on Pacific cod otoliths to test the validity of the old-fish age reading scenario. Radiometric ages revealed that the young-fish scenario was valid because the actual age of the two oldest adult groups was more than 20 years younger than estimated by the old-fish scenario.