Authored by: Aubrey Pawlikowski A research team at the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources is transforming fisheries management with the launch of FishAge, the world’s first publicly available reference database of known-age fish structures. Led by Dr. Marty Hamel, the project addresses a critical challenge in fisheries science: accurately determining fish age. The FishAge database, accessible at www.fishage.org, offers high-resolution images of structures such as ear bones, or "otoliths," as well as scales and spines. Biologists use these structures to estimate a fish's age by counting growth rings, similar to tree rings. Age data is vital for managing fish populations, helping to determine growth rates, recruitment, and mortality—all of which impact fisheries management. “Fish age data provides the foundation for estimating important vital rates used to manage our fisheries. Inaccurate data can lead to mismanagement and puts fisheries at risk,” Hamel explained. Dr. Marty Hamel (left) shows a student how to count the rings of an otolith. Aging fish is complex and often imprecise, requiring extensive training. Hamel hopes FishAge will enhance accuracy by serving as a reference for known-age structures, enabling biologists to verify their findings. “Public access to FishAge offers an opportunity to learn the science of age estimation and provides quality assurance and quality control for experienced users,” Hamel added. The launch of FishAge has been years in the making. The idea originated with Hamel’s mentors, Drs. Mark Pegg and Dave Buckmeier, who were concerned about errors in fish age estimation and the need for a comprehensive reference database. As Pegg and Buckmeier neared retirement, they passed the baton to Hamel, who had the resources and drive to bring their vision to fruition. “Mark was my supervisor and PhD advisor at the University of Nebraska. He taught me to have a healthy level of skepticism because small errors can lead to big problems in fisheries management,” Hamel said. The project faced challenges, mainly in locating known-age fish structures. Many samples were stored away after studies, often forgotten or lost over time. “The biggest challenge is making connections with people who have these known-age structures,” Hamel said. “Many of these samples were used for specific studies and then stored away—sometimes in a box on a back shelf or in a storage room where they were forgotten or discarded. It can be tough to track down what we think exists and even harder to ask someone to dig out samples that haven’t been seen in years.” Fin spine from an 11-year old Muskellunge. Despite these hurdles, Hamel’s team has developed a repository with over 600 images from six different species across a broad geographic area. The lab hopes to expand the repository to include marine fish and structures from around the globe. The project was made possible by the multi-state conservation grant, funded through the Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration Programs Improvement Act, which returns federal excise taxes on sporting goods, motorboat sales, and fuel. For Hamel, who has dedicated much of his career to fish aging, the creation of FishAge is deeply personal. “This project has been incredibly rewarding,” he said. “I believe it will make a big difference in training the next generation of fisheries biologists.” With FishAge now live, the resource represents a significant advancement in fisheries science, enhancing educational opportunities and fostering collaboration in fisheries research. The lab invites collaborators to contribute known-age fish structures to expand the collection at https://fishage.org/#contact-us.
