Evaluation of ageing accuracy with complementary non‐lethal methods for slow‐growing, northern populations of shoal bass

Fisheries Management and Ecology
By: , and 

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Abstract

In the upper Chattahoochee River basin, where some populations of shoal bass, Micropterus cataractae Williams & Burgess, are imperilled, age and growth data are lacking. Age and growth of shoal bass in this basin were assessed with non‐lethal means using scales and mark–recapture. Mark–recapture data allowed for estimation of accuracy and determination of effects of any scale‐based inaccuracies on growth models. Scale‐based age estimates were accurate for 57% of the samples, and errors of 1 to 3 years included equal numbers of over‐ and underestimates of age. von Bertalanffy growth models based on scale ages were similar to those based on mark–recapture ages for ages 3–8 but noticeably divergent for younger and older fish. Scales provided estimates of longevity up to 12 years of age, and growth models produced from mark–recapture suggest scale ages underestimated age, especially for older fish. These populations of shoal bass live longer and grow slower than other populations, suggesting regional management strategies may be needed.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Evaluation of ageing accuracy with complementary non‐lethal methods for slow‐growing, northern populations of shoal bass
Series title Fisheries Management and Ecology
DOI 10.1111/fme.12274
Volume 25
Issue 2
Year Published 2019
Language English
Publisher Wiley
Contributing office(s) Coop Res Unit Atlanta
Description 7 p.
First page 150
Last page 157
Country United States
State Alabama, Florida, Gerogia
Other Geospatial Chattahoochee River Basin
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