Models estimating size at maturity in aquatic organisms: a review

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Abstract

Length at mean maturity (L_50%) is defined as the length at which 50% of individuals are adults and 50% are juveniles. Estimating size-at-maturity in exploited fish and other aquatic species is important for legal-size catch allocation and for serving as a reference point for adult stock size, spawning stock, and stock-recruitment relationships. When the individuals are separated into mature and immature, the proportion of mature at length is modeled with a logistic function, where there are several models, such as Lysack, Bakhayokho, King, Withe et al., Brouwer & Griffiths, Somerton, or using asymmetric models such as Gompertz, Richards, Weibull, and Gamma distribution. In the multi-model selection approach, several models were used as candidates to fit a dataset of proportions of maturity by length intervals or age, and the best model was selected based on the Akaike information criterion. This estimate contradicts multi-model selection, so it is time to withdraw symmetric logistic models from the multi-model selection approach and rearrange asymmetric models to estimate size-at-maturity at a maturity proportion of 50%.

Rodríguez-Domínguez, G., & Payán-Alejo, J. (2026). Models estimating size at maturity in aquatic organisms: a review. Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research, 54(2). doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3856/vol54-issue2-fulltext-3558

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