Rapid lateral extraction of otoliths that maintains the integrity of fish product to improve access to catches and reduce potential sampling biases

Wakefield, C.B., Boddington, D.K. and Newman, S.J. (2016) Rapid lateral extraction of otoliths that maintains the integrity of fish product to improve access to catches and reduce potential sampling biases. The Open Fish Science Journal, 9 (1). pp. 26-28.

Abstract

The capacity to sample otoliths of fish from commercial, recreational, artisanal or subsistence catches can be constrained if the dissection process results in alterations to their external appearance and thus reduces its value and/or shelf life. There can also be significant biases incorporated into the collection of otolith samples if access is only granted relative to the size of the fish (i.e. if smaller fish are sold whole). To reduce such limitations, we herein describe a rapid and simple method of lateral otolith extraction that maintains the integrity of the fish product, and thus reduces potential biases in sample collection for age structure data. Representative sampling is an important consideration for the collection of age structure data when it is intended to be used in fisheries stock assessments.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publisher:	Bentham Open
Copyright:	© Wakefield et al.
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/32861

Item Control Page

Downloads