PURPOSE:

Support age-structured population stock assessments and research on fish growth.

DESCRIPTION:

Fish otoliths are collected from scientific surveys, fisheries observers on fishing vessels and from scientific sampling of commercial fisheries. The otoliths collected are placed in paper envelopes, recorded and held in a climate-controlled storage facility. Age determination is performed yearly on available samples. Digital images of each pair of otoliths collected are captured when possible.

The information made available through this metadata record is the summary of otoliths present in the collection at the Gulf Fisheries Centre in Moncton, NB, Canada. The number of otoliths available from different sources by year and month is provided for the following stocks:

- Atlantic Cod NAFO Divisions 4T / 4VN (Nov. to Apr.)

- White Hake NAFO Division 4T

- American Plaice NAFO Division 4T

- Winter Flounder NAFO Division 4T

- Yellowtail Flounder NAFO Division 4T

- Witch Flounder NAFO Divisions 4RST

- Skate species NAFO Division 4T

There is additional information of observed sex, length, weight and age information of fish specimens made by trained Fisheries and Oceans Canada technicians that can be made available upon request.

PARAMETERS COLLECTED:

length (biological), age (biological)

NOTES ON QUALITY CONTROL:

Reference collections for certain species exist and are used to train technicians and to calibrate the age readings obtained by the fisheries technicians that use the otoliths for age estimation. Digital images of the otoliths that are part of the reference collection are available and used for calibration and training purposes. The otolith images are also authoritatively annotated by fisheries technicians.

PHYSICAL SAMPLE DETAILS:

Fish otoliths, skate vertebrae

SAMPLING METHODS:

Marine fish otoliths are obtained from fish specimens collected during research surveys and during scientific sampling of commercial fisheries. The sagittal otoliths are removed from sampled specimens, recorded, placed in a protective medium and held in a climate-controlled storage facility. Digital images of each pair of otoliths collected are captured when possible.

USE LIMITATION:

To ensure scientific integrity and appropriate use of the data, we would encourage you to contact the data custodian.