Population dynamics, age, growth and maturity of lemon sole Microstomus kitt (Walbaum 1792) sampled between 2000-2002 off the west coast of Ireland

Abstract

The age, growth, maturity and population dynamics of lemon sale (Microstomus kin), from commercial catches off the west coast of Ireland (ICES division Vllb), was determined for the period November 2000 to February 2002. The maximum age recorded was 14 years. Males of the population were dominated by 4 year olds, while females were dominated by 5 year olds. Females dominated the sex ratio in the overall sample, by month sampled, by age class and by size (from 22cm in total length onwards. when N > 20). Mature male and female lemon sale were encountered at age 2 and above. Von Bertalanffy growth parameters were estimated using the method of Rafail (1973). In recent years, the lemon sale has exhibited a smaller asymptotic length (L∞ = 34.47cm), faster growth rate (K = 0.1955) and younger age at first maturity than in the same area in 1978-1979. These changes are indicative of a decrease in population size following exploitation.