New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research abstracts
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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