Dili: 
Fishery Bulletin 119(4) 
was validated for each region (one minimum MIR in sum- 
mer, with 1 cycle present in the Okamura analysis). Annu- 
lus deposition was completed in June for black sea bass 
from the region north of the Hudson Canyon, with otolith 
growth for some fish lagging into July (Fig. 6D). Annulus 
deposition for otoliths from fish caught south of the Hudson 
Canyon was completed on or after April but before July, 
indicating a similar timing of late spring or early summer 
for fish in this region. 
Conclusions 
Results from this study indicate that one opaque annulus 
per year is deposited on otoliths of black sea bass in late 
spring or early summer. Younger fish (ages 1-4) completed 
annulus formation earlier in the season than older fish, 
although this finding is likely an artifact of measurement 
difficulty for the older age groups. For fish in all age groups, 
annulus formation was completed and new translucent 
material had begun by July or August. Although there were 
slight differences in material deposition between regions, 
the otolith aging method was validated for samples cap- 
tured from both regions. Additionally, the first annulus was 
confirmed in this study, validating, in conjunction with MIA, 
the absolute age of black sea bass in the northern stock. 
The results of this study help ensure the accuracy and 
precision of aging practices for black sea bass by validating 
the otolith aging method used by agencies and organiza- 
tions across the Atlantic coast of the northeastern United 
States. In this study, we included samples that reflect age 
data used in black sea bass stock assessments (i.e., sam- 
ples captured from the entire spatial range of the northern 
stock, with a variety of methods, in various types of fisher- 
ies, and from multiple age groups). Age data produced by 
using a validated age determination method will reduce 
uncertainty in the stock assessment. Several agencies 
from the northeastern United States supply age estimates 
for the assessment of the northern stock of black sea bass. 
Scales have largely been phased out because of the prefer- 
ence for otoliths; however, variation exists between the use 
of whole otoliths, sectioned otoliths, or a combination of 
both (ASMFC°). Sectioned otoliths—which were used for 
age validation in this study—tend to be clearer, easier to 
interpret, and provide more accurate age determinations 
(Hyndes et al., 1992; Fowler and Short, 1998). We there- 
fore recommend abiding by the results presented here for 
aging of black sea bass in the future. 
Acknowledgments 
We thank E. Robillard, S. Sutherland, and G. Shepherd 
of the NEFSC, D. Zemeckis and M. Burglund of Rutgers 
University, M. McMahan of Northeastern University, 
T. VanMiddlesworth of the North Carolina Department 
° ASMFC (Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission). 2018. 
Report of the quality assurance/quality control fish ageing work- 
shop, 50 p. ASMFC, Washington, D.C. [Available from website.] 
of Environment and Natural Resources, N. Lengyel of 
the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Man- 
agement, T. Heimann of the Commercial Fisheries 
Research Foundation, and J. Garland of the Virginia 
Institute of Marine Science for samples and contacts 
and K. Fine for otolith aging. Funding was received 
from the National Marine Fisheries Service (award no. 
NA17NMF4740143), in cooperation with the Atlantic 
Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program, and from the U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sport Fish Restoration Program 
(award no. F17AF00216 and no. F18AF00918). 
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