Accounting for selectivity is important when using fishery-dependent data to compare growth of Bight redfish (Centroberyx gerrardi) throughout its distribution in south-western Australia

Emily A. Fisher; S. Alex Hesp; Peter G. Coulson; Jeffrey V. Norriss; David V. Fairclough; Gary Jackson

doi:10.1016/j.fishres.2025.107632

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Accounting for selectivity is important when using fishery-dependent data to compare growth of Bight redfish (Centroberyx gerrardi) throughout its distribution in south-western Australia

Journal article

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Accounting for selectivity is important when using fishery-dependent data to compare growth of Bight redfish (Centroberyx gerrardi) throughout its distribution in south-western Australia

Emily A. Fisher, S. Alex Hesp, Peter G. Coulson, Jeffrey V. Norriss, David V. Fairclough and Gary Jackson

Fisheries research, Vol.293, 107632

2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2025.107632

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Abstract

Age validation

Berycidae

Gear selectivity

Growth estimation

Spatial variation

Spatial variation in life history characteristics of fish species with extensive geographic ranges needs consideration for stock assessment and management. Additionally, traditional growth models can provide biased parameter estimates if fishing-related effects on length and age samples are not accounted for. This study of the commercially and recreationally important berycid Centroberyx gerrardi in southern Australia explored implications, for growth estimation, of selectivity and fishing mortality effects across three regions in Western Australia. Using length-at-age data derived from commercial line catches, taken from a large depth range and comprising a wide age range (5–84 years), traditional von Bertalanffy growth models indicated regional differences in growth. These estimated regional differences became reduced when von Bertalanffy growth models were fitted using informative priors to constrain some growth parameters to feasible values. In contrast, a length and age-based catch curve model (LACC) that simultaneously estimates growth, selectivity and fishing mortality indicated no regional growth differences. A simulation study confirmed that, among the three alternative growth models, the LACC is most reliable for estimating growth of C. gerrardi when data for small and young fish are limited. The lengths at which C. gerrardi become selected by commercial line fishing differed among regions, potentially reflecting a size-related, westward movement of fish along the south coast to important spawning areas. Different potential conclusions regarding growth and connectivity for C. gerrardi, depending on which growth model was applied, highlight the importance of considering fishing-related effects when estimating growth of exploited fish species.

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Title: Accounting for selectivity is important when using fishery-dependent data to compare growth of Bight redfish (Centroberyx gerrardi) throughout its distribution in south-western Australia
Authors/Creators: Emily A. Fisher - Western Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Government of Western Australia, P.O. Box 20, North Beach, Western Australia 6920, Australia
S. Alex Hesp - Government of Western Australia
Peter G. Coulson - Western Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Government of Western Australia, P.O. Box 20, North Beach, Western Australia 6920, Australia
Jeffrey V. Norriss - Western Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Government of Western Australia, P.O. Box 20, North Beach, Western Australia 6920, Australia
David V. Fairclough - Western Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Government of Western Australia, P.O. Box 20, North Beach, Western Australia 6920, Australia
Gary Jackson - Western Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Government of Western Australia, P.O. Box 20, North Beach, Western Australia 6920, Australia
Publication Details: Fisheries research, Vol.293, 107632
Publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Identifiers: 991005852086007891
Murdoch Affiliation: Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems; College of Environmental and Life Sciences
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.2 Marine Biology; 3.2.92 Fisheries Ecology
Web Of Science research areas: Fisheries
ESI research areas: Plant & Animal Science