Abstract
Interrelationships between parasite load and sex, otolith shape, growth rate, and depth and date of capture of orange roughy H. atlanticus (Teleostei: Trachichthyidae) were grouped by both Quota Management Areas (QMAs) and Regional Fisheries Areas (RFAs). Parasite data were collected in 1987 from populations of H. atlanticus as defined by QMAs in New Zealand waters. Examination of the data showed that: (1) parasite load was not related to QMAs and RFAs; (2) parasite load was weakly related to both otolith shape and growth rate; (3) there were differences in growth rate between RFAs; and (4) there was a significant variation in the shape of otolith between RFAs.