On November 21, in San Andrés, Petén, technicians from the Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture Regulation (DISPESCA) under the Vice Ministry of Agricultural Health and Regulations (VISAR), part of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA), conducted a study involving the extraction of otoliths from specimens of white fish (Petenia splendida). Otoliths are calcium carbonate structures found in the inner ear of fish that are essential for balance and hearing.
The main purpose of this activity was to gather information on growth patterns and variations of this species across different bodies of water. The process included cranial dissection, extraction, and cleaning of otoliths to ensure their quality before analysis. Through these samples, researchers can identify growth rings and carry out morphometric comparisons to better understand how white fish change throughout their lives.
According to MAGA, "The extracted otoliths are catalogued, coded, and safeguarded by DISPESCA, reaffirming MAGA's commitment to generating scientific information for responsible management of the country's fisheries resources."
This work will contribute data to Guatemala’s national Otolith Data Bank.
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