From de5e657e6b22ac63ba5e38627d907b1cc058fa94 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Rick-Methot-NOAA <richard.methot@noaa.gov>
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:35:06 -0700
Subject: [PATCH] revert Richards growth at start year to restore capability

---
 SS_biofxn.tpl | 12 ++++++++++--
 1 file changed, 10 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-)

diff --git a/SS_biofxn.tpl b/SS_biofxn.tpl
index d7572b8c..00acbfc8 100644
--- a/SS_biofxn.tpl
+++ b/SS_biofxn.tpl
@@ -470,10 +470,18 @@ FUNCTION void get_growth2(const int y)
               }
               case 2: // Richards
               {
+                dvariable VBK_temp2 = -VBK_work * VBK_seas(0);
                 for (a = 0; a <= nages; a++)
                 {
-                  temp = LinfR + (LminR - LinfR) * mfexp(-VBK_work * VBK_seas(0) * (real_age(g, 1, a) - AFIX));
-                  Ave_Size(styr, 1, g, a) = pow(temp, inv_Richards);
+                  if(a > AFIX)
+                  {
+                    temp = LinfR + (LminR - LinfR) * mfexp(VBK_temp2 * (real_age(g, 1, a) - AFIX));
+                    Ave_Size(styr, 1, g, a) = pow(temp, inv_Richards);
+                  }
+                  else
+                  {
+                    Ave_Size(styr, 1, g, a) = Lmin(gp);
+                  }
                 } // done ageloop
                 break;
               }