Efficacy of restocking an estuarine-resident species demonstrated by long-term monitoring of cultured fish with alizarin complexone-stained otoliths. A case study

•Otolith-marked cultured fish released into estuary.•Long-term monitoring showed marked fish still present after 16 years.•Restocked fish made major contribution to population and fishery.•Recruitment to the population by wild stock highly episodic.•Efficacy of restocking an estuarine-resident species is demonstrated.