Identification of Spring- and Autumn-Spawning Herring (Clupea harengus harengus) using Maturity Stages Assigned from a Gonadosomatic Index Model

Abstract

A model is developed to identify the spawning type of individual herring (Clupea harengus harengus) from the sympatric spring and autumn spawning stocks in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (NAFO Division 4T). The maturity stage is assigned from a gonadosomatic index model using discriminant analysis and the spawning type is determined from the maturity stage and the month of capture according to a detailed description of the annual maturity cycle of each type. The model is shown to be objective, quantitative, and precise. Greater than 97% overall agreement was achieved between the spawning type classification of individuals by histological means and by the model, significantly improving the identification accuracy compared with a macroscopic maturity stage key. The model also has the advantages of (1) identifying the spawning type directly by determining the "season of spawning" rather than the "season spawned" as is inferred from indirect evidence such as otolith characteristics or meristic data, (2) requiring easily obtained, quantifiable data, and (3) enabling the rapid treatment of a large number of specimens.