AGE-SPECIFIC AND SEX-SPECIFIC SURVIVAL OF NORTHERN GRAND BANK CAPELIN(MALLOTUS-VILLOSUS)

Age-specific, sex-specific survival rates for immature and mature cape lin (Mallotus villosus) were estimated by linear least-squares models, using abundance data derived from annual acoustic/trawl research surv eys conducted from 1982 to 1990 on the northern Grand Bank. Survival e stimates for age 2 immature fish were comparable between sexes (annual survival equals approximately 40%). Survival estimates for age 4 matu re fish differed between sexes, with females having a higher (25-51%) average survival estimate than males (6%). Survival estimates for imma ture and mature age 3 fish were equivocal; immature males and females had comparable rates (30.3-32.3 and 15.2-26.6%, respectively) whereas a greater proportion of mature females (25-50%) survived than of matur e males (2.5-13%). The stated ranges denote survival estimates includi ng and excluding an influential data point, respectively. Higher avera ge survival of mature females than of mature males may be a result of sex-specific behavior during beach spawning. The average annual contri bution of surviving mature females to the total number of female spawn ers was estimated as 24-47%.