Evaluating the use of the Daily Egg Production Method for stock assessment of blue mackerel, Scomber australasicus
T. M. Ward A B , P. J. Rogers A , L. J. McLeay A and R. McGarvey A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A South Australian Research and Development Institute, Aquatic Sciences, PO Box 120, Henley Beach, SA 5022, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: ward.tim@saugov.sa.gov.au
Marine and Freshwater Research 60(2) 112-128 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF08134
Submitted: 28 April 2008 Accepted: 20 October 2008 Published: 20 February 2009
Abstract
The present study evaluates the suitability of the Daily Egg Production Method (DEPM) for stock assessment of blue mackerel, Scomber australasicus and assesses methodological options for future applications. In southern Australia, estimates of mean daily egg production were higher for Californian Vertical Egg Tow (CalVET) nets than bongo nets, and in eastern Australia, were higher in October 2003 than July 2004. Estimates of spawning area for southern Australia were three times higher for bongo nets than CalVET nets. Similar estimates of spawning area were obtained using standard (manual) gridding and natural neighbour methods. Large samples and reliable estimates of all adult parameters were obtained for southern Australia. Relatively few spawning adults were collected off eastern Australia. Preliminary best estimates of spawning biomass for southern and eastern Australia were 56 228 t and 29 578 t, respectively, with most estimates within the ranges of 45 000–68 000 t and 20 000–40 000 t respectively. The DEPM is suitable for stock assessment of S. australasicus. Several technical refinements are required to enhance future applications, including: genetic techniques for identifying early stage eggs; a temperature–egg development key; improved methods for sampling adults off eastern Australia; and measurements of the degeneration rates of post-ovulatory follicles at several temperatures.
Additional keywords: batch fecundity, scombrids, sex ratio, spawning area, spawning biomass, spawning fraction.
Acknowledgements
This project was funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and Australian Fisheries Management Authority. We are grateful for the efforts of the crews of the RV Ngerin and RV Bluefin for their efforts during surveys. Dr Francisco Neira and Mr John Keane (TAFI) led the surveys off eastern Australia, sorted the samples and collated ichthyoplankton data. Mr Wetjens Dimmlich, Mr Nathan Strong, Mr David Schmarr, Mr Paul Van Ruth, Mr Alex Ivey, Mr David Fleer and Ms Michelle Roberts helped collect and sort plankton samples and catch adult blue mackerel during research surveys off southern Australia. Ms Sandra Leigh, Mr Chris Leigh and Dr Bill Breed (University of Adelaide Anatomy Department) conducted the histological analyses. We thank Cameron Dixon (SARDI), Dale McNeil (SARDI), three anonymous reviewers and MFR editorial staff for valuable comments on drafts of this manuscript.
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