Results of the CCAMLR Antarctic fish otoliths/scales/bones exchange system
An exchange system was established among Members of CCAMLR to compare age determinations for the same species among different laboratories. Four species were included in the exchange: Notothenia rossii, Champsocephalus gunnari, Notothenia gibberifrons and Pleuragramma antarcticum. The level of agreement in age determination was highest for scales of juvenile N. rossii and for otoliths of juvenile C. gunnari from South Georgia and lowest for scales of adult N. rossii and N. gibberifrons and otoliths of P. antarcticum. Agreement between otoliths and scales of individual N. gibberifrons was in the order of 50%. There was little indication that agreement between experienced investigators was higher than between experienced and less experienced ones.