Reevaluation of the interpretation of annuli from otoliths of a long-lived fish, Anoplopoma fimbria

Sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) were recaptured up to 20 years after being injected with oxytetracycline (OTC). After 20 years the OTC mark is clear in most otoliths. Our examination of these otoliths confirmed that sablefish are long-lived and grow slowly after maturity. Annuli that formed beyond the OTC mark could be difficult to interpret in broken and burnt sections. However, polished thin sections improved the clarity of annuli. Despite improved preparations, annuli in some sections were difficult to distinguish, resulting in annuli counts after the OTC mark that did not correspond exactly to the years at liberty of the recaptured fish. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.