Exploring age and growth dynamics of a historically overfished Sub-Antarctic fish species: The grey rockcod (Lepidonotothen squamifrons) in the vicinity of Heard Island and McDonald Island

The grey rockcod (Lepidonotothen squamifrons) was fished to commercial extinction on the Kerguelen Plateau by unregulated fishing during the 1970s/80s. Since the mid-1990s little work has been performed to assess the status of this species within the Heard Island and McDonald Island region (CCAMLR Division 58.5.2). This study has updated a range of biological parameters such as growth, maturity, condition, selectivity and age structure. Using otoliths, maximum age estimates have increased by 5 years to 24. Through the mapping of abundances the presence of three distinct geographical populations were elucidated for the first time.