American Plaice 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 the 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.

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:

A reference collection for ageing American Plaice exists and is used 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.

SAMPLING METHODS:

American Plaice otoliths are obtained from fish specimens collected during research surveys, observer activities onboard commercial fishing vessels and during scientific sampling of commercial fisheries. The sagittal otolith is 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.