Age and Spawning Migration of Herring Clupea pallasii Stocked and Recaptured in Miyako Bay

Abstract

Juvenile herring Clupea pallasii with chemically marked otoliths have been released in Miyako Bay during 1988-2010 and adult fish were captured, tagged and released to investigate their migration behavior. Two fully matured herrings (a male and a female) both with otolith markings and external tags were recaptured in 2010. Both were estimated, based on the otolith marking patterns, as hatchery-reared fish released in the study area in 2001. These results suggest that the herring reproducing in Miyako Bay live for over nine years and return to the natal spawning area after multiple years.