Lectura de edades en otolitos de peces teleosteos

Abstract

In general, the increased exploitation of the natural organic resources of the world makes it more and more necessary to apply proper resource management procedures in order to avoid overexploitation. In the fisheries field, the management is, among other things often based on studies of fish ageing. Such studies have become an important tool, to be used in the elaboration of population dynamic models and of biological parameters like stock recruitment, growth and mortality. In age studies the otoliths and scales of the fish are of basic importance. The reason is that they reflect the occurrence of the biological changes, which take place in the fish during its lifespan. Such changes may derive from for instance the natural growth process of the fish or from variations in its environment. To interpretate the age-readings correctly a solid general biological knowledge is therefore required. The present paper describes theoretical and practical aspects of age reading of otoliths in t eleostean fishes and includes the methodology and equipment to be used.