Variability in growth during the first 3 years of life of cod (Gadus morhua) in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence

Abstract

Variability in growth rates during the first three growing seasons of cod (Gadus morhua) in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence was investigated by back calculation of length at a particular age from a body–otolith relationship. The data suggested that cod year classes partially recruited to the commercial fishery had larger back calculated l1 lengths than did fully recruited year classes. There was no relationship between length at the end of the first growing season and length at the end of either the third or fourth growing season. Growth compensation occurred in the second and third growing seasons. Size of age 0 cod was inversely correlated with biomass of spring-spawning herring (Clupea harengus) and not significantly correlated with year-class abundance of cod.