Median length at sexual maturity of halibut, cusk, longhorn sculpin, ocean pout, and sea raven in the Maritimes area of the Northwest Atlantic

Abstract

The length at which 50% of the individuals were mature was calculated for some Northwest Atlantic groundfish species. Median length at maturity for halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) on the Scotian Shelf declined from 84 cm for males during 1959–1964 to 66 cm during 1970–1979. Median lengths at maturity for females declined from 98 to 70 cm. Ranges of median lengths (centimetres) at maturity for other species were as follows: cusk (Brosme brosme), male 48–56, female 47–56; longhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus), male 24–29, female 23–25; ocean pout (Macrozoarces americanus), male 45, female 28; and sea raven (Hemitripterus americanus), male 36, female 28.