Life-history characteristics of reef ocean perch (Helicolenus percoides) from south-east Australia

Reef ocean perch ( Helicolenus percoides ) are deep water, reef-dwelling Scorpaeniforms found in the temperate waters of the south-west Pacific Ocean. Helicolenus percoides are an important component of commercial and recreational fisheries in New Zealand waters, where previous research indicates they are long-lived, with life-history characteristics that vary spatially. Such traits may heighten the vulnerability of H. percoides to overexploitation. Although commonly caught within Australian fisheries, the retention of H. percoides is low. This study investigated the biology and life history of H. percoides in waters off the east coast of Tasmania, in south-eastern Australian waters, providing critical baseline knowledge ahead of any potential increase in exploitation, as has occurred for this species in New Zealand waters. Sectioned sagittal otoliths ( n = 1329) indicated maximum ages of 28 years for females and 20 years for males. Patterns in length-at-age data revealed significant differences in growth between sexes, with males attaining larger sizes than females at equivalent ages. Patterns in gonad development indicated that mating (via internal fertilisation) occurred in late austral autumn, with females releasing developed larvae between late winter to mid-spring. This finding aligns with the known viviparous reproductive strategy of Helicolenus species, including H. percoides in New Zealand. Maximum age-based natural mortality estimates were low (females: 0.16–0.23 year −1 ; males: 0.22–0.31 year −1 ) and estimates of total mortality from selectivity-enhanced catch curves for were identical (0.28 year -1 ) from two sampling regions. Together, these findings provide a vital baseline of life-history information for the proactive and sustainable management of H. percoides in Tasmania coastal waters.