Fecundity of Witch Flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus) from St. Pierre Bank and the Grand Bank of Newfoundland

Abstract

The fecundity of witch flounder from the Grand Bank and St. Pierre Bank was correlated to length, age and weight. In all cases a log–log fit best described the relationship between fecundity and all three variables. However, variations in fecundity were best described in terms of size rather than age. Significant variations in fecundity occurred between the three areas discussed. Significant differences between samples from different years occurred for the Grand Bank areas but not for St. Pierre Bank. A comparison of witch flounder fecundity for the East and West Atlantic indicated that the rate of egg production is generally the same in both areas but the number of eggs produced at each length group in East Atlantic witch flounder is higher than those in West Atlantic. Key words: witch flounder, fecundity, length, age, weight