Age validation of canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) using two independent otolith techniques: Lead-radium and bomb radiocarbon dating

Allen H. Andrews, Lisa A. Kerr, Gregor M. Cailliet, Thomas A. Brown, Craig C. Lundstrom, Richard D. Stanley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) have long been an important part of recreational and commercial rockfish fishing from south-east Alaska to southern California, but localised stock abundances have declined considerably. Based on age estimates from otoliths and other structures, lifespan estimates vary from ∼20 years to over 80 years. For the purpose of monitoring stocks, age composition is routinely estimated by counting growth zones in otoliths; however, age estimation procedures and lifespan estimates remain largely unvalidated. Typical age validation techniques have limited application for canary rockfish because they are deep-dwelling and may be long-lived. In this study, the unaged otolith of the pair from fish aged at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada was used in one of two age validation techniques: (1) lead-radium dating and (2) bomb radiocarbon (14C) dating. Age estimate accuracy and the validity of age estimation procedures were validated based on the results from each technique. Lead-radium dating proved successful in determining that a minimum estimate of lifespan was 53 years and provided support for age estimation procedures up to ∼50-60 years. These findings were further supported by Δ14C data, which indicated that a minimum estimate of lifespan was 44 ± 3 years. Both techniques validate, to differing degrees, age estimation procedures and provide support for inferring that canary rockfish can live more than 80 years.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)531-541
Number of pages11
JournalMarine and Freshwater Research
Volume58
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2007

Keywords

  • Accelerator mass spectrometry
  • Age estimation
  • Alpha-spectrometry
  • Carbon-14
  • Lead-210
  • Radiometry
  • Radium-226
  • Scorpaenidae

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oceanography
  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Aquatic Science
  • Ecology

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