Crecimiento, madurez y mortalidad del pez gallo, Callorhinchus callorynchus , en el Golfo San Matías, Patagonia norte, Argentina.

Detailed knowledge of the life history parameters of chondrichthyans is required to assess their population status and vulnerability to fishing mortality. The objective of this study was to estimate growth, maturity length (LM50%), longevity (Emax) and natural mortality rate (M) of the cockfish, Callorhinchus callorynchus, in the San Matías Gulf, Argentina. The length range in the commercial catches was 22 to 58 cm for males and 25 a 76 cm for females, while in fisheries surveys was 13 to 59 cm for males and 14 to 69 cm for females. The sex ratio was biased to the males. The Gompertz L0 fixed growth model was the most adequate according to biological selection criteria. The parameters were: i) females: L= 70.75 cm and K= 0.17 year-1; and ii) males: L= 56.11 cm and K= 0.257 year-1. A LM50%= 43.39 cm, a Emax = 13.7 year and a M= 0.35 year-1 were estimated for males, while a LM50%= 47.48 cm, a Emax = 21.4 year and a M= 0.23 year-1 were estimated for females. The results of this work show that there is sexual dimorphism in life-history characteristics of the cockfish. Females reach a larger size, mature later, grow slower and live longer than males.