Growth of anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius and L-budegassa) in Atlantic Iberian waters

The growth of anglerfish Lophius piscatorius and L. budegassa is described for the southern stock (ICES Divisions VIIIc and IXa) from seasonal samples obtained between July 1996 and June 1997 from commercial landings and rese arch surveys (IPIMAR and IEO). The sampling program was established by the EC Study Project 95/038 "Biological Studies of Demersal Fish". A total of 8 44 and 1049 individuals ranging from 14 to 140 cm and from 5 to 93 cm in le ngth were aged for L. piscatorius and L. budegussa, respectively. Ageing wa s based on growth ring counts of transverse sections of the illicium (first dorsal fin ray). Observed mean length at age and mean weights at age are p resented. Von Bertalanffy growth parameters were estimated by sex and for b oth sexes combined for each species. The results are: compared with previou s studies. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.