Age Estimation of Silver Roughy, Hoplostethus mediterraneus (Pisces; Thachichthyidae) from central Mediterranean Sea

Sustainable fisheries depends upon accurate population assessments. Reliable ages are important for stock assessments. Estimated age ranges often change with different otolith preparation methods. In silver roughy (Hoplostethus mediterraneus) a critical evaluation of age determination methods has not been undertaken. Therefore, we examined three different otolith preparation methods in silver roughy. Our estimated ages were different depending upon the otolith preparation method and growth zone interpretation.