Report of the ICES/NAFO Workshop on Greenland Halibut Age Determination

Most mathematical models used in modern fish stock assessment for the purpose of providing scientific advice to fisheries managers are age based models. Therefore, any errors in age determinations of fish samples introduced to these models will also create errors . in the assessment results of the respective fish stocks for which management advice is being developed. The implications can be serious with respect to the fishing industry regarding possible assignment of incorrect catch quotas and other management measures advised from the results of the assessment. In addition, the well being of the fish resources can also be detrimentally affected especially if assigned quotas are inadvertently set too high as a result of these errors.