Report of the Mackerel Age Determination Worshop

In accordance with the terms of a contract with the Commission of the European Economic Community, the United Kingdom Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (the Contractor) convened a Mackerel Age Determination Workshop at the Fisheries Laboratory, Lowestoft, during the period 1-6 June 1987. The objectives of the Workshop were:

"To assess the consistency of age determination of older mackerel by otolith readers for the main countries exploiting mackerel in the north-east Atlantic. In the event of an unacceptable level of disagreement in age determination of older mackerel, to attempt to identify the source of differences and to attempt to agree on a standard method of interpretation.

To recommend whether or not the upper limit of the age range used in mackerel assessments should be extended from 10 to 15 years."