James Sulikowski Oregon State University Director: Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station (COMES); Professor: Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences Dept james.sulikowski@oregonstate.edu 0000-0002-3646-5200 James Sulikowski Oregon State University Director: Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station (COMES); Professor: Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences Dept james.sulikowski@oregonstate.edu 0000-0002-3646-5200 Yian Ding Arizona State University Student Gabriela Hernandez Arizona State University Student Scanned whelk ovary histology slides The study examines the current state of knowledge on the life history parameters of the whelk fishery, focusing on the need for updated data, the dominance of juveniles in catch/landings, and the evaluation of life history parameters using different methods. Recent studies have suggested that statolith and microscopic evaluation of gonads are more reliable indicators of age and maturity than other methods. The study also highlights the existence of variability in size and age at 50% sexual maturity between specimens from Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Despite the consistent removal of juveniles from the fishery, no collapse has occurred, prompting the need for further investigation. The study provides a summary of data collected from past studies and pilot shipments in 2020, showing that out of the 157 samples collected, only 7% (12) were female and all females were sexually mature. Further research is needed to better understand the life history parameters of the whelk fishery and ensure its sustainability. Whelk Gastropod New England Channeled Whelk Conch This information is released under the Creative Commons license - Attribution - CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). The consumer of these data ("Data User" herein) is required to cite it appropriately in any publication that results from its use. The Data User should realize that these data may be actively used by others for ongoing research and that coordination may be necessary to prevent duplicate publication. The Data User is urged to contact the authors of these data if any questions about methodology or results occur. Where appropriate, the Data User is encouraged to consider collaboration or co-authorship with the authors. The Data User should realize that misinterpretation of data may occur if used out of context of the original study. While substantial efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of data and associated documentation, complete accuracy of data sets cannot be guaranteed. All data are made available "as is." The Data User should be aware, however, that data are updated periodically and it is the responsibility of the Data User to check for new versions of the data. The data authors and the repository where these data were obtained shall not be liable for damages resulting from any use or misinterpretation of the data. Thank you. This slide image comes from a field collection on September 14, 2020 in Vineyard Sound, MA. -70.28092 -70.28092 41.29029 41.29029 2020-09-14 Kingdom Animalia animals 202423 Subkingdom Bilateria 914154 Infrakingdom Protostomia 914155 Superphylum Lophozoa 914159 Phylum Mollusca molluscs 69458 Class Gastropoda gastropods 69459 Subclass Prosobranchia 78780 Order Neogastropoda 73228 Family Melongenidae 74069 Genus Busycotypus 74095 Species Busycotypus canaliculatus channeled whelk 74096 James Sulikowski Oregon State University Director: Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station (COMES); Professor: Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences Dept james.sulikowski@oregonstate.edu 0000-0002-3646-5200 Samples of B. canaliculatus were collected from Vineyard Sound, MA. Using traditional open-top, wood lathed whelk traps baited with horseshoe crab sections placed in bait bags (Fisher, 2015). In the study, a sub-sample of fresh, live whelk was selected from each collected sample for reproductive histological analysis. Upon arrival the whelks were stored in a standard refrigerator overnight until analysis the next day. During the analysis, the total weight, shell length, and shell width of each specimen were measured, and sex was determined based on gross morphology of the reproductive tracts. Furthermore, the gonadal somatic index (GSI) was calculated, and macroscopic assessments were conducted on secondary sex organs to aid in the evaluation of sexual maturity. See the histology methods in the following reference: Fisher R. (2015, October). Age, growth, size at sexual Maturity and reproductive biology of channeled whelk, Busycotypus canaliculatus, in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic. VIMS Marine Resource Report No. 2015-15 VSG-15-09 97_UN_003c 97_UN_003c.ome.tif ome.tif Body Weight(g): 96.75; Gonad Weight(g): 2.13; Shell Length(cm): 13.5; Shell Width(cm): 8.9; Gonad Length(cm): 4 histology JS_BC_2020-09-14_97_F female adult 1 ovary unspecified 003 6 microns Olympus CX33