Age-specific natural mortality rates of adult Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi) from southern British Columbia

Abstract

I used data for over 665 000 Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi) seined or gillnetted in southern British Columbia between 1951 and 1998 to estimate age- and year-specific adult natural mortality rates. Apparent sampling bias precluded using data collected before 1980. The instantaneous natural mortality rate is an increasing exponential function of age. Surplus energy requirements for gonad recrudescence appear to cause the death of adult herring.