Fish scales can be analyzed to determine the age of the fish from which they were taken. Since the scales can be taken from live specimens, scale analysis is a non-destructive way of determining the age structure of a population of fish. The population age structure (e.g., the number of fish in each age group) can be useful in assessing the health of the population, the impacts of stressors such as fishing or pollution, and the suitability of the habitat for specific fish species.
Ocean Ecology receives dried scale samples taken from a variety of fish species. These samples are soaked in water to soften them, cleaned, and then mounted between microscope slides for viewing with a microscope. The individual scales are photographed and their growth patterns carefully examined to determine the age of the fish.
