Sizes and ages in commercial landings with estimates of growth, mortality and yield per recruit of yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) from New South Wales, Australia
John Stewart A B , Douglas J. Ferrell A and Bryan van der Walt AA NSW Fisheries, Cronulla Fisheries Centre, PO Box 21, Cronulla, NSW 2230, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: john.stewart@fisheries.nsw.gov.au
Marine and Freshwater Research 55(5) 489-497 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF03127
Submitted: 25 August 2003 Accepted: 2 April 2004 Published: 5 August 2004
Abstract
The size and age compositions of yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) were studied in commercial landings in New South Wales, Australia between 1998 and 2000. The fishery was dominated by fish smaller than 65 cm fork length and these fish were estimated to be 2 and 3 year olds. Estimates of growth rates were made using size-at-age data from sectioned otoliths. The oldest yellowtail kingfish found was 21 years and measured 136 cm fork length. There were no differences in the growth rates between regions or between sexes. Yellowtail kingfish grow rapidly and reach their minimum legal length of 60 cm total length at around 2 years of age. These estimates showed that previous studies, which estimated ages using whole otoliths, may have underestimated the ages of older yellowtail kingfish. Total instantaneous mortality rates generated from catch curves ranged between 0.43 and 0.79. Yield per recruit models suggest that the population is currently growth overfished. The information provided is used to discuss the suitability of the current minimum legal length for yellowtail kingfish in New South Wales.
Extra keyword: age composition
Acknowledgments
This study was funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (Project 98/138) and NSW Fisheries. We thank Daniel Johnson, Dr Michael Lowry, Michael Middleton, Glenn Cuthbert, Darrin Nobbs, and Dean Hiscox for measuring kingfish and collecting otoliths. Dr Kevin Rowling (NSW Fisheries) supplied the lengths of kingfish measured between 1985 and 1989. Drs Kevin Rowling, Kim Smith, Charles Gray, and James Scandol made useful comments on the manuscript.
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