SUMMARY

This paper presents an analysis of the genetic and growth patterns of six swordfish specimens recaptured with traditional tags at North Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans. The period of time between tagging and recapture ranged from 5 months to 5 years. This recaptured fish together with 1148 additional samples from Atlantic, Mediterranean, Pacific and Indian stocks, were genotyped for ten microsatellite markers and analysed using a Bayesian cluster analysis. The results suggested the presence of three main populations, in Mediterranean, Atlantic and Indo-Pacific Ocean. The recaptured individuals could be genetically assigned to their population of origin. The age estimation of those specimens by interpretation of ring deposition patterns in the second anal spine agree with expected ages by other authors with slight differences. The examination of genetic data in combination with tagging-recapture information may facilitate the study of aspects related to individual and stock specific growth and elucidate the patterns of ring formation on the hard parts (spines). It would be advisable to enhance the tag-recapture protocols of swordfish and to include the routine sampling of tissues and hard parts in all the recaptures made by the different fleets. RÉSUM