Sampling instructions for redfish otoliths
for sub-workpackages 1.2 and 3.3 (see Appendix V in the Report of the first project meeting 27-29 Jan 2000)
- Please make sure that the otolith samples are evenly distributed over the entire survey area. The core area is the Irminger Sea (ICES XII, XIV pelagic) and adjacent waters (ICES Va, pelagic and demersal; XIV demersal). Other areas (ICES I, II; NAFO 1) are to be sampled regularly (with less effort) as reference material. Please check with the contact person (see below) how many samples will be needed from a specific area.
- All observed length classes (usually covering a length range of 5 to 60+ cm) and both sexes should sampled with an even distribution, e.g. 2-3 pairs per 1-cm class & sex per cruise and per species (S. marinus and S. mentella; S. viviparus if available). If possible, also look for some particularly big fish (60-80? cm, for radiometric age validation purposes).
- It is essential that both otoliths (left & right) are taken, and that they both remain unbroken (not even the tip of the rostrum).
- Immediately after taking the otoliths, please wash/clean them for a few seconds in freshwater, rubbing off any adhering blood or tissue with your fingers, then dry them with paper tissue and put them into the paper envelopes/tubes (see below).
- The otolith samples should be stored in paper envelopes or flip-cap plastic (Eppendorf) tubes (just air-dried, no ethanol or any other chemical !) with an identification no. drawn onto it, to be identifiable with the corresponding biological data (length, ungutted weight, sex, maturity) and station data.
- When sending otoliths, please embed the paper envelopes into a soft environment (avoid breakage !), before putting them into the hard paper box.
- Please send the corresponding biological data and station data (station no., date, position lat/long, fishing depth, otolith identification no., fish length, ungutted weight, sex, maturity) via e-mail, when sending the otolith samples by postal mail.
Contact:
Christoph Stransky
Federal Research Centre for Fisheries
Institute for Sea Fisheries
Palmaille 9
D-22767 Hamburg
Germany
Tel. +49 40 38905-228
Fax: +49 40 38905-263
e-mail: christoph.stransky@ish.bfa-fisch.de
Last update: 31/01/2000
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