Winter growth of juvenile plaice on the Port Erin Bay (Isle of Man) nursery ground

Juvenile plaice ( Pleuronectes platessa ) were studied in Port Erin Bay, Isle of Man, U.K. between September and March 1989/1990 and 1990/1991. Plaice (>90 mm) were tagged and individual growth rates calculated for the autumn, winter and over-winter time periods. During the study the population of fish >90 mm remained fairly stable both within a study season and between years. Autumn growth rates ranged from 0 to 0.39 mm day^?1 (mean₁₉₈₉=0.13 mm day^?1, mean₁₉₉₀=0.10 mm day ^?1) and winter 0 to 0.5 mm day^?1 (mean₁₉₉₀=0.11 mm day^?1 and mean₁₉₉₁=0.17 mm day ^?1). In general, growth rates were higher at higher mean seasonal temperatures. However, relative growth rate was significantly higher in the colder winter period of 1991 than 1990.