Life in Layers: Age and Growth of Fishes

A special issue of Fishes (ISSN 2410-3888). This special issue belongs to the section "Biology and Ecology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 June 2026 | Viewed by 1143

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Faculty of Science, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
Interests: marine ecology; fish biology; population ecology; life history strategies; biodiversity; conservation biology

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory for Ichthyology and Coastal Fishery, Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, 21000 Split, Croatia
Interests: marine ecology; marine biodiversity; invasive species; conservation biology; ecosystem ecology; fisheries

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Special Issue, titled Life in Layers: Age and Growth of Fishes, focuses on the biological basis and ecological significance of age and growth in fish, synthesizing recent scientific advances, methodological innovations and current challenges in marine and freshwater ecosystems. It covers varied topics, including methods for age determination, growth modelling, intra- and inter-specific variability in growth patterns and the influence of environmental and anthropogenic factors on growth. Particular focus is placed on the application of age and growth data in fisheries management, species conservation, climate change impact assessment, habitat restoration, aquaculture development and ecosystem modelling. By bringing together current scientific knowledge and interdisciplinary approaches, this Special Issue will enable a comprehensive understanding of the ageing- and growth-related processes that characterize fish populations. In doing so, it will build on the existing scientific literature that recognizes age and growth data as fundamental components in fisheries science and aquatic ecology.

Dr. Antonela Sovulj
Dr. Branko Dragičević
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • fish growth
  • age determination
  • growth modeling
  • life-history traits
  • fisheries management
  • environmental drivers
  • anthropogenic impacts

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

23 pages, 3570 KB  
Article
Habitat-Driven Population Parameters Insights for European Eel Anguilla anguilla (Linnaeus, 1758) in Croatian Waters
by Luka Glamuzina, Alexis Conides, Sanja Matić-Skoko, Matija Kresonja, Milorad Mrakovčić, Sanja Grđan, Matija Pofuk and Branko Glamuzina
Fishes 2026, 11(2), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes11020125 - 23 Feb 2026
Viewed by 843
Abstract
Key parameters were estimated separately for the European eel, Anguilla anguilla (Linnaeus, 1758) subpopulations across freshwater and brackish environments within the Eastern Adriatic Eel Management Unit (EMU: EA). Between 2023 and 2024, European eel sampling was carried out at 23 locations along the [...] Read more.
Key parameters were estimated separately for the European eel, Anguilla anguilla (Linnaeus, 1758) subpopulations across freshwater and brackish environments within the Eastern Adriatic Eel Management Unit (EMU: EA). Between 2023 and 2024, European eel sampling was carried out at 23 locations along the Croatian coast (N = 678). Ages ranged from 1 to 13 years in freshwater and 1 to 8 years in brackish waters. The population structure was dominated by undifferentiated (42.8%) in freshwater and females (46.3%) in brackish habitats. Eels in freshwater exhibited a significantly higher b-coefficient in their length–weight relationship and better condition. Based on the otolith annuli patterns, age classes 3 to 5 predominated in both groups. A slightly longer asymptotic length and lower growth rate were found for the freshwater group compared to a shorter length and higher growth rate in the brackish habitat. Natural mortality was estimated at 0.174 ± 0.09 year−1 and 0.191 ± 0.133 year−1 for brackish and freshwater habitats, respectively. Total mortality was higher in freshwater (0.86 year−1) in comparison with the brackish (0.83 year−1) habitat. According to obtained results, more than 50% of eels aged three years are under exploitation. The maximum Yield per Recruit (Y/R) was 0.082 g/recruit in brackish at Lc = 44.88 cm, and a current Lc is 19.4 cm in the samples. In freshwater, Y/R peaked at 0.042 g/recruit at Lc = 55.49 and a current Lc 11.1 cm. It is recommended, following a precautionary approach to management, that the current fishing practices change in order to increase the minimum landing size (MLS), at least to 45 cm (above the current official MLS of 35 cm), to increase the fishing yield, and directly enhance population resilience. Findings emphasise the need for sustainable eel management policies considering different subpopulation parameters along the freshwater/brackish gradient at a small spatial scale when proposing and implementing stock management measures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life in Layers: Age and Growth of Fishes)
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