Trends in the size and age structure of marine fishes

Julie A. Charbonneau, David M. Keith, Jeffrey A. Hutchings

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Size-selective harvesting is expected to reduce the average age and weight of commercially exploited fishes. The loss of larger, older fish has been hypothesized to negatively affect metrics of population viability, such as spawning behaviour, recruitment, and adult survival. Most studies to date have focussed on individual stocks. Here, we examine trends in average age and weight at broad taxonomic and temporal scales, using subsets of data compiled on 95 marine fish stocks. Following moderate declines between 1960 and 1990, we find that the average age has generally increased since 2000, such that 71% of 69 stocks are currently above their long-Term average. However, the size of the oldest individuals has generally declined over time; the average weight is currently below average in 75% of 55 stocks. A temporal decline in the mean weight of the youngest constituents within 49 stocks is most evident in the Clupeiformes. Our results indicate that recovery of age structure need not be accompanied by recovery of weights-At-Age, evidenced in part by a decline in the size of the oldest individuals within populations. Further study into the drivers of these patterns, and the consequences of declining weights-At-Age for population viability, is warranted.

Original languageEnglish
Article numberfsy180
Pages (from-to)938-945
Number of pages8
JournalICES Journal of Marine Science
Volume76
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 1 2019

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We are indebted to many scientists worldwide for providing the stock assessment data used to create the database. Our work was supported by The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (Discovery Grant 170146-2013 to J.A.H). We are also appreciative of the comments and criticisms proffered by three anonymous referees.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea 2018.

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Oceanography
  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Aquatic Science
  • Ecology

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Charbonneau, J. A., Keith, D. M., & Hutchings, J. A. (2019). Trends in the size and age structure of marine fishes. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 76(4), 938-945. Article fsy180. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsy180