Thomas E. Helser

Age and Growth of Spanish Mackerel in the Northern Gulf of Mexico and Management Implications

A total of 230 otoliths was used for age and growth analysis of Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus) in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Male fish in the sample ranged from ages 0 to 6, whercas females were 0 to 4 years old. Females exhibited faster growth than did males. Von Bertalanffy growth equations were: males L = 552( I - e -0'''''+ 16h,), and females L = 604(1 - e 04'" ")751). Growth equations from this study showed that both sexes grew at significantly slower rates than did Spanish mackerel in south Florida waters. Age-frequency distributions showed a differential pattern of...