Abstract

The distribution of white grunt (Haemulon plumierii) is limited to the western Atlantic Ocean, where it occurs from Virginia to the eastern Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea and south to Brazil. Although it is a dominant component of the reef fisheries and subsistence catches of the Eastern Caribbean islands including Antigua, data collection on this species has been limited to catch and effort estimates. Very little research has been completed on important aspects of the biology such as growth and reproductive rates of resident populations. Therefore, in order to begin collection of demographic data on grunt stocks in Antigua an aging study was completed. This study investigated growth zones in sagittal otolith cross-sections obtained from 236 fish caught in three localities around the island. The sampled fish ranged in total length from 159 mm to 309 mm. The oldest and youngest individuals were estimated to be one and fourteen years old respectively

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