They look like modern artworks but fish ear bones are being used to gain a better understanding of aquatic life and ocean stocks.
Fisheries management first used scales to help determine the age of fish populations.But Dr Gaughan said scales were found to be unreliable with many species so scientists turned to otoliths, which also added new bands annually.
"With each fish having its own behaviours ... the otoliths have just evolved over time to be as efficient as they can," Dr Gaughan said. Great leaps in otolith research are being made around the world every year and many of the people behind them come together to share knowledge at semi-regular symposiums held since 1993.
Professor Gillanders has looked at the composition of otoliths by using the Melbourne synchrotron to study trace elements.
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