210Pb/226Ra Determination of Longevity in Redfish

Abstract

Examination of annular growth rings apparent in charred otolith cross sections is the basis for reports of extreme longevity in the rockfish genus Sebastes, but the interpretation of the annuli has long been disputed. We used a radiochemical assay of the otolith core to confirm our interpretation of annuli in Atlantic redfish, Sebastes mentella, to at least an age of 65 yr. Through measurement of the radioactive disequilibrium between ²²⁶Ra and ²¹⁰Pb, it appears that redfish live to an age of at least 75 yr in the waters off of Nova Scotia.