SAMPLING PROTOCOL FOR SKELETAL STRUCTURES OF NORTH ATLANTIC ALBACORE TUNA (THUNNUS ALALUNGA) AND AGEING INTERPRETATION

SUMMARY This paper presents a standardized protocol for sampling skeletal hard parts (dorsal fin ray and otoliths), preparation and age interpretation of albacore first dorsal fin ray. Ageing of albacore is focused in interpretation and reading of annual temporal marks (translucent bands) in first ray of dorsal fin. Preparation of fin ray sections (spines) is presented in detail using two different methods. The spines are usually cut individually using a low speed cutter. Depending of the size of spines, a new procedure has been developed for small spines based on encasing spines in a matrix of plastic resin allowing multiple spines cutting. Interpretation of growth marks on spine sections is explained and examples are presented for a range of size of albacore aged using this method.