Age laboratories at the Department of Aquatic Resources

Last changed: 13 February 2023
Woman sitting at microscope. Photo.

SLU Aqua's three age laboratories specialize in age and growth analyzes of fish from Sweden's seas, coasts, lakes and watercourses. Every year, our experts analyze more than 50,000 fish from about 20 different species. The results from our biological analyzes and age determinations are used to assess the status of fish stocks, and constitute important decision bases for both national and international fish management.

Age analysis of fish can provide detailed information about fish stocks and how fish react with, for example, changes in the environment or fishing pressure.

Fish age is estimated with the help of the otoliths (ear stones), gill caps, scales and other skeletal parts or hard tissues, which get annual rings in the same way as trees. In addition to the age of the fish, by studying these tissues you can also measure growth of the fish at a given age. Read more about age analysis of fish >>

Quality-assured data for fish management

We perform age analyzes for research purposes and as part of international and national fish and environmental monitoring on behalf of the Swedish Maritime Administration, county administrative boards, municipalities, fishing associations, fisheries conservation areas, etc.

We perform age determinations and analyzes on assignment. Contact our age laboratories for information and pricing! (Contact information can be found at the bottom of the page)

Information on the age and growth of fish is required, among other things, to gauge the status of a fish stock, make stock analyzes and assess what fishing pressure a stock can handle. Our age analyzes are used, among other things, for stock estimates and advice given by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, ICES, which serve as a basis for decisions on the EU's common fisheries policy.

Our age laboratories work continuously with quality assurance and method development and our experts regularly participate in international workshops and exchange programs. Read more about our quality assurance and development of age analysis on fish>>

Age analyzes at the Institute of Marine Research in Lysekil

At the Institute of Marine Research, age analyzes are mainly performed for stock assessments within the EU Data Collection Directive (EU-MAP / DCF).

Among the species analyzed are herring, sprat, cod, saithe, plaice and sole.

The majority of the fish that are age-analyzed are collected in internationally coordinated fish surveys with research vessels and from commercial fishing vessels.  

Age analyzes at the Institute of Coastal Research in Öregrund

At the Institute of Coastal Research, age analyzes are performed in three main areas:

• Regional and national environmental monitoring at the coast
• Recipient control at nuclear power plants
• EU Data Collection Directive (EU-MAP / DCF)

Among the species analyzed are perch, herring, eel, whitefish, flounder, pikeperch and round goby.

Fish that are age-analyzed are collected in standardized test fishing conducted within the various programs for regional and national environmental monitoring and within the recipient control programs. Some also come from internationally coordinated fish surveys with research vessels and commercial fishing vessels.

Age analyzes at the Institute of Freshwater Research at Drottningholm / Stockholm

At the Institute of Freshwater Research, age analyzes are mainly performed on fish in three main areas:

• National environmental monitoring of small and medium-sized lakes
• Monitoring of fish stocks in the large lakes Vänern, Vättern, Mälaren and Hjälmaren
• EU Data Collection Directive (EU-MAP / DCF)

Among the species analyzed are perch, roach, pikeperch, smelt, salmon and eel.

Fish that are age-analyzed are mainly collected from standardized test fishing in lakes, hydroacoustic surveys and through collections made  in collaboration with professional fishermen.

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Contact

Carina Jernberg, Head of Unit
Department of Aquatic Resources, Institute of Marine Research, SLU
carina.jernberg@slu.se, +46 10 478 4025, +46 761-26 80 16

Martina Blass, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Analyst
Department of Aquatic Resources, Institute of coastal research, SLU
martina.blass@slu.se, +46 10 478 41 18

Magnus Kokkin, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Analyst
Department of Aquatic Resources, Institute of Freshwater Research, SLU
magnus.kokkin@slu.se, +46 10 478 42 35