A cooperative effort to exchange age reading experience and protocols between European fish institutes

In Europe, research to improve age estimation methods is often limited to small-scale studies and thus it has been difficult to integrate innovations into routine protocols. There has even been a lack of pilot scale studies and implementation of control mechanisms in the age reading process. This was recognised and addressed by European Fish Ageing Network (EFAN; 1997–2000). EFAN was established as an active, independent and informal network for exchange of ideas and experience for improving age estimation. For the first time, age reading problems were addressed on a common platform across Europe. EFAN improved awareness and sensitivity towards the quality of age reading, however, this did not always deliver changes in the routine age reading processes. The present project, Towards Accreditation and Certification of Age Determination of Aquatic Resources (TACADAR); 2002–2006 aims to submit a quality assurance manual including an evaluation of the legal aspects and implications to the European Union (EU). Through the network of excellence, TACADAR will strengthen the competitive position of European institutions involved in fish ageing through institutional synergy and international co-operation.