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The Age Determination Unit (ADU) at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game's Mark, Tag, and Age Laboratory in Juneau, Alaska, serves fishery managers and researchers statewide by producing age data for fish and invertebrate species Age structures are sampled during commercial, population survey, and research harvest. These age structures are shipped to the ADU, where they are prepared and growth patterns analyzed. Quality of the age data are assessed before data are released back to the managers.

Biologists at the ADU work with other scientists in different age determination sites in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and California to standardize and improve on age determination methods. Periodically new information is received which either confirms existing interpretations of age or refines current methods. Interpretation of growth patterns, development of new techniques, or other pertinent age and growth pattern work are documented and reported through a variety of media; reports, posters, inhouse technical note series, etc.

Age data describe growth characters of each species or population of animals. This allows fishery managers to assess the ability of a species or a population to sustain harvest and set harvest goals.


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