Reference data for evaluating the growth of common riverine fishes in the UK

Comparative assessments of population mean growth rates in length remain important aspects of stock assessment in river fisheries. To facilitate these assessments, for 15 fish species encountered in UK rivers reference data are provided on their expected lengths at age, maximum theoretical lengths (L-infinity), growth coefficient (K) and instantaneous mortality rate (Z). These data are also transferable to fish populations outside of the UK that experience a similar growth season (approximately April to October, mean water temperatures 12-22 degrees C). Considerable plasticity was observed in the growth of all species examined, with length at age values revealing growth rates from very slow to very fast. Populations considered fast growing against reference data were coincident with a relatively low ultimate length, a high growth coefficient and a high instantaneous mortality rate, suggesting a trade-off exists between growth rate, ultimate length and life span.