Preliminary Evaluation of a Method to Determine the Age of Sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria)

Abstract

Age of sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) was estimated using broken and burnt otoliths. A partial validation of the method was achieved using fish of known age, oxytetracycline-injected fish, and results of tagging studies. Estimated ages indicated that most sablefish stocks contain a large number of fish that are much older than previously determined using the scale method of age determination. This new information on the age and growth of sablefish indicates that strategies for the management of the sablefish fishery should be re-evaluated.Key words: sablefish, age determination, age and growth, otoliths, age validation, fisheries management