Age and growth of tropical tunas

Otolith reading of daily increments is now routinely carried out, and estimates of age and growth of yellowfin and bigeye tuna, based on these readings combined with available tagging data, and using composite growth models have been presented to SCTB 12. Whilst these estimates can be further refined, they represent a significant inprovement in the description of growth of the two tuna species in the region.

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Deepwater snapper are an important fisheries resource for many SPC member countries, where they support important domestic and export markets. However, there is a lack of management plans in most SPC member countries except the US territories and Tonga, and a lack of information on the status of stocks which could be used to develop or further refine management plans. Conducting a traditional stock assessment for deepwater snapper stocks is a challenging and expensive exercise. So SPC has been working with member countries to develop rigorous and objective monitoring and assessment methods to ensure deepwater snapper fisheries in the region are managed at biologically and economically sustainable levels. The successful implementation of this work requires a high level of in-country expertise and understanding of monitoring and assessment methods. To facilitate this expertise, SPC members have invested in four of their brightest fisheries scientists to lead the way forward.