Patrick Kocovsky Teaches Junior High Students About Fish Age Estimation

By Great Lakes Science Center September 20, 2019

Passing on our knowledge to the next generation of scientists.

Fish Vertebra Cross Section — Cross section of a fish vertebra. Useful for determining the age of a fish.

Research fishery biologist Dr. Patrick Kočovský (GLSC, Sandusky, Ohio) conducted a fish age estimation workshop for junior high students from the Urban School on September 11, 2019. Dr. Kočovský showed the students how fisheries biologists use bony structures from fish to estimate the fish’s age, and how ages are used for the management of fish populations.

Pectoral Spine Cross Section — A pectoral spine cross section from invasive grass carp captured in the Great Lakes. These cross sections are used to determine the age of the fish.