Validating age determination of anglerfish and hake.

closed

EASME wishes to enter into a service contract to produce a validated method for the age determination of hake (Merluccius merluccius) and 2 anglerfish species (Lophius piscatorius and Lophius budegassa), in the north-east Atlantic. The core objective of this study is to analyse the otolith and illicia microchemistry patterns with the intention of developing improved growth models to inform length-based assessments for the stocks concerned, with a view to improving scientific advice in respect of common fisheries policy objectives. This will be achieved through the production of a validated and objective method for age determination for these species using microchemistry techniques and subsequent statistical analysis.