Fish Population Dynamic and Stock Assessment

3.1.3.1. Length infinity or Asymptotic length

Length infinity or Asymptotic length (L $$\infty$$)

The growth increment during growth continues to decrease and attain virtually zero increment between two adjacent years of age in some future. The length of the fish corresponding to zero increment is called ‘length infinity’ or ‘asymptotic length’ and is designated by L $$\infty$$ . This is the theoretical maximum length beyond which the fish cannot grow. In nature, the fish seldom attains this value but tend to grow towards it, as they die due to natural causes or due to fishing. L $$\infty$$is the mean length of the fish would reach if they were to grow to a very old age. It is one of the three parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth function.