Studies of the age and growth of alfonsino Beryx splendens (Berycidae) in the area of the Azores Banks compared to other areas of its habitation

Abstract

Methods of determining age of alfonsino Beryx splendens in the area of the Azores Banks are described. On otoliths of the beryx, spawning marks form in the period of intensive spawning (June–September); those of hyaline zone form in the season of lowest water temperature in the considered area (January–March); and those of opaque zone form in the prespawning (April–May) and postspawning (October–December) periods. The growth of alfonsino in the northern part of the Atlantic is close to an isometric one. The rate of linear growth of alfonsino in the area of the Azores Banks in the first year of life is higher than in fish of the New Anyo Seamount and Vavilov Ridge but lower than at the Angular Seamount. Beginning from the second year of life, the rate of growth slows down and becomes lower than at the New Anyo and Angular seamounts, but it remains higher than the rate of growth of fish of the Vavilov Ridge.