Abstract

 https://doi.org/10.17895/ices.pub.5221

This chapter presents a summary of the age estimation procedures used in European waters (Atlantic and Mediterranean areas) for some of the main commercial small- and medium-d pelagic species: anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus, sardine Sardina pilchardus, herring Clupea harengus, sprat Sprattus sprattus, Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus, chub mackerel Scomber colias, horse mackerel Trachurus trachurus, Mediterranean horse mackerel Trachurus mediterraneus and blue jack mackerel (Trachurus picturatus). It provides information about the age estimation criteria and interpretation difficulties. A summary of the information related to the age accuracy, validation, and corroboration of each species is also presented, as well as that related to the age precision, quality control, and verification. The procedures included in this chapter are derived from the age estimation protocols of some European institutes and from the cooperation among institutions through the ICES exchanges and workshops about age interpretation; additional procedures can be found in relevant literature