Send Us Your Skeletons

Fish skeletons contain biological information such as length, age and sex. Scientists can use these data to understand the biology of fishes and how it changes over time. Changes in biology may be related to fluctuations in the environment and the effects of fishing. 

Analysing frames can help us improve our understanding of: 

• population size and age structures
• growth patterns
• the size at which fish reach maturity
• the timing of spawning
• fish diets
• how fish in different areas are genetically related. 

Please donate the whole filleted skeleton with the ‘frame’, head and guts intact. For some species, you can donate just the head. Frames can be fresh or frozen. 

Label frames with: 

• your name, phone number and email address (so we can send you feedback, research updates and put your name in prize draws)
• the date the fish was caught
• the location where the fish was caught. For example, 3 nautical miles west of Hillarys boat ramp, or Fremantle North Mole. 

Information you provide about the location of your catch is confidential. 

Illustrations © R.Swainston/animafish.com