Growth and Maturation of Acadian Redfish in the Gulf of Maine

Abstract

AbstractAcadian Redfish Sebastes fasciatus were captured by otter trawl from inshore and offshore sites in the Gulf of Maine. Fish weights and lengths were recorded, sagittal annuli were counted for age determination, and ovarian histology was conducted to develop ogives for length and age at maturity for females. Maximum observed ages of males and females were 25 and 37 years, respectively, but very few males greater than 21 years and females greater than 25 years of age were observed. Growth functions were significantly different between males and females, and similar growth rates (k) but higher maximum length (L∞) and lower t0 values were observed in females. Mature female Acadian Redfish ranged in length and age from 17 to 39 cm and from 4 to 37 years, respectively, attaining 100% maturity at ~26 cm and ~10 years. Median length at maturity (L50) was 21.7 cm and median age at maturity (A50) was 6.6 years. Smaller, immature fish were primarily sampled from inshore locations. The results of this study were very similar to previous data from a depleted Acadian Redfish population in the Gulf of Maine from 1975 to 1980, suggesting that these population parameters have not changed despite population recovery.Received March 16, 2016; accepted September 12, 2016Published online December 20, 2016