Age and multi-model growth estimation of white grunt, Haemulon plumieri, in the southern Gulf of Mexico from otolith macrostructure analysis

Abstract

In the southern Gulf of Mexico fishery of the white grunt (Haemulon plumieri) has gained relevance as an alternative resource to fisheries considered in decay (e.g., red grouper); however, the extent of knowledge of the biology of this species in the region is scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the age and growth of white grunt under a multi-model approach (information theory). A total of 421 individuals were sampled monthly on the continental shelf of Yucatan from September 2015 to August 2016. Five growth models were evaluated through a multi-model approach. Periodicity of growth zones was annual according to the marginal index. Maximum estimated age was 17 years and 90% of the specimens were under 8 years of age. Models that best explained the growth of white grunt were asymptotic without an evident inflexion point (Johnson and von Bertalanffy models). The first growth estimate of this species in the southern Gulf of Mexico is reported with this approach, contributing elements to improve evaluations in future studies.