A unified framework and terminology for reproductive traits integral to understanding fish population productivity

Objective This paper highlights the complexity of marine fish spawner–recruit systems and how they vary across species and ecosystems while providing a universal terminology and framework to evaluate fish reproduction. We emphasize the gonadal development important to assess maturity, fecundity, where and when fish spawn, and transition and sex assignment in protogynous species. Methods We review and compare reproductive traits in warmwater and coldwater fishes. Reproductive phases for both sexes and protogynous species are defined and histological micrographs presented. New methods are developed to assess maturity; spawning seasonality; peak spawning; and, for protogynous species, sex assignment. Result Protogyny, extended spawning seasons, and indeterminate fecundity are more common in warmwater than coldwater systems. The following reproductive phases are defined as immature, transitional (sex change), early developing (the first stage of entrainment in the reproductive cycle), late developing (stages needed to complete maturational competence), spawning, regressing (spawning season termination), and regenerating (fish that are mature but outside of the spawning season). A method to assess the certainty of maturity assignment based on reproductive phase and the age and size range sampled is presented, as are best practices to estimate size and age at maturity. To remove the subjectivity from current methods to estimate spawning seasonality, we present a new quantitative method to identify the core spawning season and peak spawning months. Conclusion A species’ ability to adapt to fishing and climate change varies with their reproductive strategy. Improving our understanding of fish reproduction necessitates standardizing methodology and terminology. Impact statement We demonstrate the complexity of fish reproductive strategies and how reproductive traits are species‐specific and differ between warmwater and coldwater systems, affecting population productivity. We present a unified framework and terminology to describe fish reproduction and new methods to assess key reproductive parameters.