Oocyte development and maturity classification of swordfish from the north-western Atlantic

Swordfish Xiphias gladius are multiple spawners with asynchronous oocyte development, which results in an indeterminate fecundity pattern. The dynamics of oocyte maturation is typified by seven bootstrapped oocyte distributions that represent the maturation process, and aids in the identification of ovaries with hydrated oocytes that have not spawned. Because of the difficulties in obtaining adequate samples for fecundity estimates in swordfish, the classification of the maturation process becomes very useful when methods for identifying ovulated or post-spawning females, such as histology, are restricted or unavailable. (C) 2002 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.