In the present study we estimated potential fecundity of >350
wild caught female NEA haddock and correlated this to possible
fecundity proxies, i.e. body size, age and energy reserves adjusted
for leading oocyte cohort development. We also examined the incidence
of atresia (Hunter and Macewicz, 1985; Kennedy et al., 2010)
in histological sections and tested statistically if female fecundity
was reduced as vitellogenesis advanced given that atresia has been
given scarce attention in haddock. Using our individual fecundity
estimates we also estimated total egg production for the population
in 2010–2011, which has been suggested as an alternative recruitment
proxy to spawning stock biomass in marine fish (Marshall
et al., 1998).