Report of the Study Group on Salmon Age Determination (SGSAD)

The meeting of the Study Group on Salmon Age Determination [SGSAD] (Chair: J. Raitaniemi, Finland) was held from the 14–15 November 2006 in Riga, Latvia. The main issue was to examine a sample of 50 photographic images of scales from known-aged Baltic salmon together. The photographs were projected on the screen, and each participant first read the age of each specimen, after which the scales were discussed. As the next stage, it was decided that a larger sample of scales or scale impressions, including 50 specimens from each part of the Baltic Sea, preferably of known age, will be circulated among the members in a blind test. Of both already examined scales and the new sample, a reference collection as photographs will be created.