Oocyte development and maturity classification of boarfish (Capros aper) in the Northeast Atlantic

Farrell, E. D., Hüssy, K., Coad, J. O., Clausen, L. W., and Clarke, M. W. 2012. Oocyte development and maturity classification of boarfish (Capros aper) in the Northeast Atlantic. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 498–507. This study presents the first detailed investigation of the oocyte development and maturity classification of boarfish, Capros aper, which has recently become the target of an industrial fishery in the Northeast Atlantic. A total of 2014 boarfish were collected from January to December 2010. Mature male and female boarfish were sexually dimorphic and could be readily identified based on external characteristics. A comprehensive maturity scale was developed, which indicated that the length at 50% maturity for males and females was 9.7 cm total length. Female boarfish were observed to spawn in Irish waters in June and July. Once spawning ceased the remaining mature oocytes were resorbed. Preliminary analysis of reproductive strategy indicates that the boarfish is likely an asynchronous batch spawner with indeterminate fecundity.