title: Growth and reproduction of the highfin grouper Epinephelus maculatus.
abstract: Highfin grouper Epinephelus maculatus sampled in Chuuk, Micronesia, exhibited a moderate growth rate and a relatively short life span compared to other epinephelids of a similar size. Combined gonad and otolith analysis provide preliminary evidence that the species conforms to a protogynous sexual pattern. Mean total length at maturity for females was 308 mm with first age at maturity 2·8 years for females and 4 years for males, which differs from other regional studies. Based on the gonado-somatic index and microscopic analysis of gonads, E. maculatus in Chuuk have a 4 month spawning season (January to April) that corresponds with seasonal lows in sea surface water temperature and overlaps with that of other aggregating epinephelids. The estimated von Bertalanffy growth factor (K) was 0·51 year(-1) , while total mortality was 0·34 year(-1) . Current management for E. maculatus in Chuuk includes a January to May catch, sale and export ban, which overlaps with its reproductive season. The effectiveness of these arrangements will require on-going monitoring to determine whether alternative management strategies are required to ensure population persistence.
authors.affiliation: Pacific Marine Science and Conservation, 160 Conaway Avenue, Grass Valley, CA, 95945, U.S.A.
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Rhodes
authors.affiliation: James Cook University, College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Pacific Marine Science and Conservation, 160 Conaway Avenue, Grass Valley, CA, 95945, U.S.A.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hernandez-Ortiz
authors.affiliation: University of Guam Marine Laboratory, UOG Marine Station, Mangilao, GU 96923, U.S.A.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cuetos-Bueno
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001492:Bass / Q000254:growth & development*; D049628:Body Size; D005260:Female; D005398:Fisheries; D006066:Gonads / Q000254:growth & development; D008297:Male; D008849:Micronesia; D012098:Reproduction; D012621:Seasons; D019849:Sex Determination Processes; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D013696:Temperature
keywords: Pacific fisheries; fisheries management; otoliths; protogyny; spawning aggregations