New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research abstracts

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Stock structure of southern blue whiting (Micromesistius australis) in New Zealand waters

STUART HANCHET

National Institute of Water & Atmospheric
 Research Ltd
P. O. Box 893
Nelson, New Zealand
email: s.hanchet@niwa.cri.nz

Abstract  Data on the reproduction, growth, and morphometric characteristics of southern blue whiting (Micromesistius australis Norman) were examined to determine its stock structure in New Zealand waters. Consistent differences in the size distribution of fish, and in the timing of spawning were found between spawning grounds on the Bounty Platform, Pukaki Rise, Auckland Islands Shelf, and Campbell Island Rise. Significant differences in morphometric characteristics were found between fish from the Bounty Platform, Pukaki Rise, and Campbell Island Rise and significant differences in growth rates were found between the Bounty Platform and Campbell Island Rise. The results provide strong evidence that fish return to spawn on the grounds to which they first recruit, and suggest that the four areas should be assessed and managed as separate stocks.

Keywords  stock structure; southern blue whiting; Micromesistius australis; discriminant analysis; morphometrics; growth; reproduction

M98022
Received 12 May 1998; accepted 6 May 1999

PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (1285K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)

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