Modelling transport of inshore and deep‐spawned chokka squid (Loligo reynaudi) paralarvae off South Africa: the potential contribution of deep spawning to recruitment

The South African chokka squid, Loligo reynaudi, spawns both inshore (≤70 m) and on the mid‐shelf (71–130 m) of the Eastern Agulhas Bank. The fate of these deep‐spawned hatchlings and their potential contribution to recruitment is as yet unknown. Lagrangian ROMS‐IBM (Regional Ocean Modelling System‐Individual‐Based Model) simulations confirm westward transport of inshore and deep‐spawned hatchlings, but also indicate that the potential exists for paralarvae hatched on the Eastern Agulhas Bank deep spawning grounds to be removed from the shelf ecosystem. Using a ROMS‐IBM, this study determined the transport and recruitment success of deep‐spawned hatchlings relative to inshore‐hatched paralarvae. A total of 12 release sites were incorporated into the model, six inshore and six deep‐spawning sites. Paralarval survival was estimated based on timely transport to nursery grounds, adequate retention within the nursery grounds and retention on the Agulhas Bank shelf (<200 m). Paralarval transport and survival were dependent on both spawning location and time of hatching. Results suggest the importance of the south coast as a nursery area for inshore‐hatched paralarvae, and similarly the cold ridge nursery grounds for deep‐hatched paralarvae. Possible relationships between periods of highest recruitment success and spawning peaks were identified for both spawning habitats. Based on the likely autumn increase in deep spawning off the Tsitsikamma coast, and the beneficial currents during this period (as indicated by the model results) it can be concluded that deep spawning may at times contribute significantly to recruitment.     

Spatial distribution of the Japanese common squid, Todarodes pacificus, during its northward migration in the western North Pacific Ocean

The spatial distribution of Todarodes pacificus in and near the Kuroshio/Oyashio Transition Zone during its northward migration was examined by comparative surveys using two types of mid‐water trawl net and supplementary squid jigging from June to July 2000. The vertical and horizontal distribution patterns varied for different body sizes in relation to the oceanographic structure. Todarodes pacificus of 1–20 cm dorsal mantle length (ML) were widely distributed from the coastal waters of Japan to near 162°E longitude, probably due to transport by the Kuroshio Extension (KE). Todarodes pacificus smaller than 10 cm ML were mainly distributed in temperate surface layers at sea surface temperatures (SSTs) >15°C near the KE meander probably because of their poor tolerance to lower temperatures and limited swimming ability. Squid of 10–15 cm ML were distributed in the offshore waters of 10–15°C SST and in the coastal waters of northern Honshu, and underwent diel vertical migrations between the sea surface at night and deeper layers during the daytime. Squid larger than 15 cm ML were distributed in the coastal feeding grounds of northern Honshu and Hokkaido until they began their southward spawning migration. They also underwent diel vertical migrations, but remained deeper at night than the squid of 10–15 cm ML; this migration pattern closely matched that of their main prey such as euphausiids. We concluded that as T. pacificus grow, they shift their distribution range from the temperate surface layer around the KE toward the colder deeper layers, above 5°C, in the Oyashio and coastal areas.     

Ocean climate effects on the relative abundance of short-finned (Illex illecebrosus) and long-finned (Loligo pealeii) squid in the northwest Atlantic Ocean

An unusually high abundance of long‐finned squid (Loligo pealeii) was observed around southern Newfoundland in August–September 2000. The prevalence of maturing females and mature males, along with the collection of a single viable egg mop, provide the first evidence of spawning of this species at the northern limit of its geographic range of distribution. Northward expansion of the long‐finned squid population may be related to a general warming trend in Newfoundland near‐shore waters. However, trends in size and abundance of short‐finned squid (Illex illecebrosus) suggest that this expansion may also be related to reduced competition. We hypothesize that these two squid species share, to a large extent, a common niche on the eastern USA shelf and that opposing responses to ecosystem variation affect their relative abundance. We address this hypothesis by applying time‐series analysis of species‐specific fishery‐ and survey‐based abundance indices with biologic and environmental input variables. Our models indicate that direct competition is not important, but that variation in atmospheric forcing, as well as latitudinal position of the Shelf‐Slope Front (SSF), are closely related to direct oceanographic processes that exert opposing effects on these two species. While the direct oceanographic mechanisms that regulate year‐class strength remain unknown, we present a hypothesis to account for opposing population responses to oceanographic variation that operates early in the life history of both species. For the oceanic and highly migratory short‐finned squid, variation in the latitudinal position of the SSF is related to efficiency of downstream dispersal by the Gulf Stream and survival of young stages. For the neritic long‐finned squid, variation in local inshore temperature affects the time exposed to intense predation through its effect on rates of embryonic development and growth. The expansion of long‐finned squid population abundance in 2000 was associated with both warm local water temperatures and an unusual eastward displacement of the atmospheric features associated with the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). These conditions may have resulted in an unfavorable oceanic regime for short‐finned squid but a favorable regime for long‐finned squid on the continental shelf as far north as southern Newfoundland.     

Staged spawning migration in Icelandic capelin (Mallotus villosus): effects of temperature,stock size and maturity

Capelin (Mallotus villosus) is the largest commercial fish stock in Icelandic waters and also an important forage fish. Every winter pre‐spawning capelin migrate 500–1000 km from their offshore (>200 m bottom depth) northern feeding areas (67–71°N) to inshore (<200 m bottom depth) southern spawning areas (63–65°N). The major migration route is east of Iceland. The route consists of both offshore and inshore phases. The migration begins offshore as capelin skirt the shelf edge north of 65°N, then abruptly veer inshore between latitudes 64° and 65°N. Hydro‐acoustic data from 1992–2007 demonstrated that the timing of the offshore phase migration varied by as much as 1 month, from 22 December to 21 January. A combination of larger spawning stock and colder feeding ground temperatures (August–December) resulted in earlier offshore migration. The timing of the inshore migration phase was not dependent on the offshore migration timing, and never began prior to the first week of February. Many cohorts arrived at latitudes 64–65°N in early January but staged offshore at latitudes 63.8–65.8°N until early February. The longest observed delay in the staging area was 5 weeks. Timing of the inshore migration was controlled by gonad maturity, with migration beginning when roe content attained 12–14%. Staging limited the time capelin spent on the continental shelf before spawning to 3 weeks. We suggest that offshore staging evolved to minimize temporal overlap with predatory gadoids, especially Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua).     

Environmental associations of shortfin squid Illex argentinus (Cephalopoda: Ommastrephidae) in the Northern Patagonian Shelf

We identified environmental associations (depth, bottom temperature and bottom salinity) of the shortfin squid Illex argentinus in the Northern Patagonian Shelf. Data are from 15 research bottom trawl surveys conducted in the Argentine–Uruguayan Common Fishing Zone (AUCFZ) between 1985 and 1998. Squid distribution in the surveyed area showed significant associations (p < 0.05) mostly with depth and bottom temperature. Bathymetric associations of squid detected in March–April, May–June and July–August cruises revealed a preference of squid for deep depths (80–280 m, intermediate and external shelf) and cool bottom temperatures (4–10 °C, subantarctic water) within the survey area. In contrast, the results observed during November–December cruises showed a preference of squid for shallower depths (70–90 m) and warmer bottom temperatures. The majority of two-way environmental analyses showed significant associations, suggesting the existence of a strong correlation between the environmental factors used in our analyses. The identification of significant associations between squid distribution and bottom temperature seem to be related to the presence of strong thermal gradients within the study area. This could be supporting the existence of an association between I. argentinus with the Brazil–Malvinas confluence front and also with the shelf break front.     

Antarctic silverfish: life strategies of a key species in the high‐Antarctic ecosystem

Among the endemic notothenioid fish of Antarctica, the Antarctic silverfish (Pleuragramma antarcticum) is the only species in which all developmental stages live throughout the water column. It is widely distributed in the shelf waters around the continent, inhabiting both open waters and areas of pack ice at depths from 0 to 900 m. In successfully occupying this habitat, it evolved a suite of specific biological, ecological and physiological adaptations to the environmental conditions in the cold and highly seasonal Antarctic waters. Specialization for the pelagic environment evolved over millions of years enabled life under unusual environmental constraints and colonization of the pelagic realm of the Antarctic continental shelf. A sudden change of environmental conditions driven by the current rapid climate change could negatively affect this weak equilibrium, with a catastrophic cascade effecting higher trophic levels. Indeed, as both adults and early life stages of the Antarctic silverfish appear to be strongly dependent on sea‐ice, this species would be especially sensitive to climatic or oceanic changes that reduce the extent of sea‐ice cover or the timing of formation of coastal polynyas.     

山东近海产卵场健康状况评价体系

产卵场对渔业资源补充起关键作用,其健康状态直接决定了渔业资源世代发生量和可持续产出.本研究以山东近海产卵场为研究区域,基于国内外海洋生态系统健康评价体系的综合分析,以20世纪80年代山东近海健康状况作为基准,利用层次分析法构建了产卵场健康状况量化评价体系,并对该体系的评价结果进行了验证.评价体系从产卵场环境和产卵场功能...     

Impact of paralarvae and juveniles feeding environment on the neon flying squid (Ommastrephes bartramii) winter–spring cohort stock

In this study, we found that there were significant positive correlations between the catch per unit effort (CPUE, a squid abundance index) for the neon flying squid (Ommastrephes bartramii) winter–spring cohort and the satellite‐derived chlorophyll a concentrations in their spawning grounds located at 140–160°E where 21°C < sea surface temperature < 25°C from February to May. The spawning grounds of the winter–spring cohort are located in a quiet stream region, and a particle tracking experiment, based on the velocity field obtained from an ocean data assimilation system, showed that paralarvae and juveniles aged <90 days remained in their spawning grounds and the chlorophyll a concentration in their habitat had a significant positive correlation with the CPUE. A backward particle tracking experiment also showed that the chlorophyll a concentration in the spawning grounds had a significant positive correlation with the autumn–winter mixed layer depth. Based on these results, we hypothesize that the CPUE interannual variability is caused by variations in the feeding environment of the paralarvae and juveniles, which may be linked to autumn–winter mixed layer depth variations.     

Interactions between seabirds and pelagic squid-jigging vessels in the south-west Atlantic

1. The waters of the Patagonian Shelf in the south-west Atlantic are nutrient rich, support large concentrations of wildlife, and are exploited by several fisheries, including the large Asian squid-jigging fishery. Although the squid-jigging fishery has previously been observed to have few problems with the accidental mortality of seabirds, the deliberate catch for consumption of seabirds by the crew has been identified as a possible issue.
2. Four cruises were made between Uruguay and the Falkland Islands during 2005–2006 to quantify the impact of jiggers on seabirds from indirect observation platforms. Monitoring included closely approaching 116 jigging vessels and boarding seven for inspection.
3. The use of non-jigging fishing gear, either for catching fish or seabirds, was observed at the stern of 33 vessels. Twelve seabird carcasses were observed floating close to vessels during 13 days of monitoring. Although the results recorded here are not sufficient to put a confident estimate on the magnitude of this mortality, the density of carcasses floating in the water among the jigging fleet indicated the potential significance of this problem.
4. The results were considered sufficiently concerning for the Falkland Islands Government to take preventative actions, including educational efforts, improving humanitarian conditions onboard vessels, introducing relevant legislation and licence conditions, and prosecuting intentional seabird take inside the Falkland Islands jurisdiction. This has resulted in the apparent elimination of these mortalities within Falkland waters since the late 2000s.
5. Nevertheless, it is likely that the same initial conditions exist for the crews of squid jiggers on vessels operating on the high seas, and so the possibility of the targeting of seabirds for consumption continues. Squid fisheries with substantial numbers of jiggers overlap with important foraging areas for a range of albatross and other species in high-seas areas such as the Patagonian Shelf, the Humboldt and Kuroshio currents, and the south-west Pacific Ocean. These areas of overlap may be important to investigate, especially in the foraging grounds of declining seabirds.

     

Temperature conditions in the Argentine chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) fishing ground: implications for fishery management

We describe the seasonal migrations of Argentine chub mackerel ( Scomber japonicus ) into the fishing ground in relation to sea surface temperature conditions and analyse the temperature evolution during the fishing season on the basis of 1955–97 time-series. The upper temperature limit for the presence of schools was around 19°C. At higher values, most schools leave coastal waters (< 50 m) for the shelf. An inverse relationship was observed between catches per unit of effort (CPUE) of the inshore fishery and sea surface temperature. The highest standardized CPUE values corresponded to temperatures lower than 19°C. Above this temperature, the probability of obtaining a standardized CPUE higher than 1 was extremely low, and the standard deviations were minimal. The economic benefit from catches was also analysed through the different months of the fishing season. It was found that the mean benefit corresponding to temperatures lower than 19°C exceeded approximately 15 times that obtained at higher temperatures. A simple fishing strategy was proposed to the commercial fleet in order to improve the economic benefit of the catches. The migratory pattern followed by mackerel during the spawning period was also analysed in relationship to other environmental factors like food availability. Zooplankton composition, size structure and abundance in coastal and shelf waters are described, and their implications for feeding ecology of larvae and adults of the species are discussed.     

中国主要海洋底层鱼类生物学研究的回顾与展望

回顾了中国海洋主要底层经济鱼类资源生物学的研究历史和科研成果,并重点叙述了带鱼、小黄鱼、大黄鱼和绿鳍马面鲀等重要经济鱼类资源生物学研究概况.概述的内容包括地理种群及其产卵群体的鉴别和划分、生活史型的演变、种群和群体结构、种群数量变动、年龄组成和生长特性、摄食习性、性成熟周期、性腺成熟指数(GSI)、产卵群体生殖力、产卵场、索饵场、越冬场及洄游路线、资源量和渔获量、各种作业渔船的调整及其捕捞力量的限制措施等,并展望了中国海洋底层经济鱼类资源生物学研究的前景.     

Foraging ecology and interactions with fisheries of wandering albatrosses (Diomedea exulans) breeding at South Georgia

Knowledge about the areas used by the foraging wandering albatross, Diomedea exulans, its prey and overlap with longline fisheries is important information not only for the conservation of this species but also for furthering our understanding of the ecology of its prey. We attached satellite‐tracking devices and activity recorders to wandering albatrosses between May and July of 1999 and 2000 (years of differing food availability around South Georgia) in order to assess inter‐annual variation in the main foraging areas, association with oceanographic features (i.e. fronts, bathymetry), diet and interactions with fisheries. The overall foraging patterns of the tracked birds were similar in 1999 and 2000, ranging between southern Brazil (28°S) and the Antarctic Peninsula (63°S) and between the waters off Tristan da Cunha (19°W) and the Patagonian Shelf and oceanic waters south of Cape Horn (68°W) in the South Atlantic. In 1999, wandering albatrosses spent most time in sub‐Antarctic oceanic waters, their trip durations were significantly longer and they fed on fish and cephalopods (53 and 42% by mass, respectively). In contrast, in 2000, they spent more time in Antarctic waters, foraging trips were shorter and the diet was predominantly fish (84% by mass). Wandering albatrosses were associated with the sub‐Antarctic Front (SAF; both years), Subtropical Front (STF; in 1999) and the Tropical Front (TF; in 2000) suggesting that this species exploits prey concentrated at oceanic fronts. Fisheries discards also seemed to provide a very good source of food. Several fish species that are targeted (e.g. Patagonian toothfish, Dissostichus eleginoides) or are available as offal/discards from commercial fisheries (e.g. the macrourids, Antimora rostrata and Macrourus holotrachys) were mainly associated with the South Georgia shelf and the Patagonian Shelf, respectively. Wandering albatross foraging areas overlapped with longline fisheries in three different regions: around South Georgia, at the Patagonian Shelf and in oceanic waters north of 40°S. Females commuted more frequently to the Patagonian Shelf and to oceanic areas where longline fisheries were operating. Males, on the other hand, spent more time on the shelf/shelf slope of South Georgia where they were more at risk from the local Patagonian toothfish fishery, particularly in 2000. These results emphasize that inter‐annual variation in foraging preferences could lead to increased incidental mortality of this vulnerable species. Potential evidence for this is provided by a satellite‐tracked wandering albatross (male; 1.8‐day trip), whose diet contained a Patagonian toothfish head and a longline hook, and who spent extensive time in the water (44% of the time wet; 0.3 days of the trip) where a Patagonian toothfish longline fishing vessel was operating.     

Population and maturation dynamics of the swordtip squid (Photololigo edulis) in the southern East China Sea

Reproductive biology and seasonal distribution of the swordtip squid (Photololigo edulis) in the northeastern waters of Taiwan were studied, based on the samples and fishery data collected from the torch-light fishery between 2003 and 2005. The swordtip squid only occurred in the Kuroshio Current and reached the coastal waters of Taiwan in January and February. From March to June, its distributional range extended to 27°N and 124°E as the front (the Kuroshio Current met the Mainland China Coastal Current) moved northward. The squid moved southwestward as the front retreated to 25°N and 123°E from July to September. After October, it was mainly distributed in the front area which shifted southwestward at this time.

Both percentage of mature individuals and gonado-somatic index (GSI) of the swordtip squid were high in spring and autumn and low in summer, indicating two spawning seasons per year. Comparison of mantle length (ML), body weight (BW) and gonad weight (GW) of mature specimens in spring and autumn indicated that individuals of autumn spawning group were larger and heavier than those of the spring spawning group. The GSI between the two spawning groups was not different in females but different in males. High GSI and high percentage of mature (stage IV) individuals in the area suggest that the inshore water off northern Taiwan between 25.5°N and 26.5°N, 121.5°E and 122.5°E could be a spawning ground for the swordtip squid.     

Ocean transport paths for the early life history stages of offshore-spawning flatfishes: a case study in the Gulf of Alaska

Offshore‐ and deepwater‐spawning flatfish species face the problem of transport of their planktonic stages to shallow juvenile nursery grounds that are often far shoreward in bays or estuaries. We compare life history attributes of four offshore‐spawning flatfish species in the Gulf of Alaska: Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis), arrowtooth flounder (Atheresthes stomias), rex sole (Glyptocephalus zachirus) and Dover sole (Microstomus pacificus) to examine how their larvae get from a spawning location at the edge or beyond the continental shelf to specific inshore nursery zones. We utilize historical records of survey catches of different life stages to characterize the stage‐specific changes in distribution of spawning, planktonic stages and juvenile nursery areas. We infer transport mechanisms based on the shifts in distribution of the life stages and in comparison with local physical oceanography. This comparison provides insight into the different mechanisms marine species may use to solve the common ‘problem’ of planktonic drift and juvenile settlement.     

南极海冰变动对西南大西洋阿根廷滑柔鱼资源丰度及空间分布的影响

南极海冰变化会是重要的大尺度环境变化,会对海洋环境及多种生物产生直接或间接影响。南极海冰覆盖范围(Sea Ice Extent)可以作为指示南极海冰变化的指数,本文探究其对西南大西洋阿根廷滑柔鱼(Illex argentinus)渔场的影响。根据2013-2018年1-6月中国鱿钓科学技术组提供的西南大西洋公海渔场阿根廷滑柔鱼捕捞数据、南极海冰覆盖范围数据以及作业渔场5m、55m、95m、195m海水温度数据,以单位捕捞努力量渔获量(CPUE)表征资源丰度,本文探究了南极海冰覆盖范围、不同水深海水温度对阿根廷滑柔鱼渔场变动的影响。结果发现,阿根廷滑柔鱼的捕捞量、CPUE、南极海冰覆盖范围与不同深度海水温度均有明显的年间及月间变化。相关分析法表明,南极海冰覆盖范围与CPUE在年间与月间变化上均为正相关;海冰覆盖范围与5m海水温度在年间与月间变化上均为负相关,而与95m海水温度在月间变化上呈正相关。依据频率分布法估算了不同海水深度滑柔鱼各月适宜和最适温度范围,不同深度的各月最适温度范围占渔场总面积比例与海冰覆盖范围呈正相关关系,推测海冰覆盖范围会影响不同深度的栖息地适宜比例,并进一步影响阿根廷滑柔鱼资源丰度。研究表明,南极海冰覆盖范围变化会显著影响阿根廷滑柔鱼渔场内不同水层的水温,进而影响其渔场的分布及资源丰度。     

Distribution patterns of loliginid squid paralarvae in relation to the oceanographic features off the South Brazil Bight (22°–25°S)

Loliginid squids constitute marine resources of increasing importance in shelf ecosystems off the coast of South Brazil. However, the existing information and knowledge about the occurrence of early‐life stages and causes of distributional patterns are insufficient. Here, we have revisited Brazilian historical plankton samples obtained from 11 oceanographic surveys to identify paralarvae and their abundances over time. The study area and time period cover the region between Cabo de São Tomé (22°S) and Cananéia (25°S) at depths down to 200 m from 1991 to 2005. Of the 246 paralarvae quantified, ~50% were identified to the genus or species level, including Doryteuthis spp. (D. sanpaulensis and D. plei), Lolliguncula brevis and a single specimen of Pickfordiateuthis pulchella. Paralarval occurrence and abundance peaked in different areas and were associated with distinct oceanographic conditions: D. sanpaulensis occurred in the northern region associated with cold waters and upwelling events, D. plei occurred primarily in the southern region of the study area and in warmer waters, and L. brevis was found in shallow and low salinity waters in the estuarine region off the coast of Santos. Overall, the highest abundance of paralarvae occurred in the nearshore, northernmost areas during summer, and this can be associated with the observed retention mechanisms caused by local circulation, seasonal upwelling, the intrusion of nutrient‐rich waters, and spawning peaks. The present study provides new information and evidence for loliginid patterns in the area that may potentially be useful for better understanding the recruitment patterns and fishery assessments of squid populations.     

东、黄渤海带鱼的洄游路线

为了研究带鱼的洄游路线,根据我国10余个主要渔业公司1971、1972、1981和1982年带鱼捕捞统计资料,先绘制带鱼鱼群移动影像图,据此进一步研究东、黄渤海近海带鱼的洄游路线图。结果显示,带鱼越冬场、产卵场和索饵场范围广阔,在空间上具有一定的重叠性。带鱼还有分批越冬、产卵和索饵洄游的特性,不同群体越冬、产卵和索饵洄游在时间上也有一定的重叠性。北方带鱼群体的越冬场主要在32°00'～36°00'N,124°00'～126°00'E黄海暖流水域。3—7月北上进入海州湾、乳山湾、海洋岛和渤海各湾产卵场;8—9月在产卵场外围宽阔水域索饵;9—11月游出渤海,绕过成山头南下,沿禁渔线外侧,沿途分别汇合海州湾、乳山湾及海洋岛的越冬鱼群,到了34°00'N后折向东南,分批于12月到达越冬场。南方带鱼群体越冬场主要位于浙江中南部禁渔线外侧,其次是济州岛西南海域。每年3—4月起,南部越冬的带鱼鱼群大致以每2个月1个纬度的速度向东北方向移动;5—7月,产卵洄游的鱼群到达舟山渔场和长江口渔场产卵;7—8月,产卵后的索饵群体北上黄海南部大沙渔场索饵;9月,索饵群体前锋到达35°00'N禁渔线外侧。10月以后,随着冷空气南下,南部群体带鱼向南越冬洄游,并且在10月回到长江口海域。其中小部分群体游向外海越冬场,大部分群体继续南下回到东海中南部近海的越冬场。台湾暖流和黄海暖流的进退和消长是影响带鱼越冬洄游路线空间和时间变化的主要环境因素。     

Synchronicity in southern hemisphere squid stocks and the influence of the Southern Oscillation and Trans Polar Index

Squid are short lived, with highly labile populations that respond rapidly to changes in environmental conditions. This makes them a good model for studying the response of recruitment processes to environmental signals. This study examines the influence of the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) and Trans Polar Index (TPI) on the environment and abundance of six species of commercially important squid from the southern hemisphere, all linked to major current systems connected by the Antarctic Circumpolar Current: Dosidicus gigas (Southeast Pacific), Loligo vulgaris reynaudii (Southeast Atlantic), Nototodarus sloanii, N. gouldi (Southwest Pacific), Illex argentinus and L. gahi (Southwest Atlantic). All fisheries displayed a high level of inter‐annual variability and a degree of synchronicity was seen to occur in the abundance of the three Pacific species. The SOI signal was reflected in the environment of each fishery, particularly in Pacific regions. Both indices are correlated with squid abundance, particularly during the early life history stages (SOI) and adult stages (TPI), suggesting some degree of latitudinal separation, with juveniles potentially influenced by environmental variability at lower latitudes and adults at higher latitudes.     

Eastern Bering Sea pollock recruitment,abundance, distribution and approach to fishery management

Eastern Bering Sea pollock have two distinctly different stable spawning grounds—along the shelf and in the eastern and central Aleutian Islands between 400 and 500 m water columns. Pollock spawning behavior supports the hypothesis that the shelf and deepwater “basin” spawning pollock are completely independent reproductive stocks. Deepwater pollock inhabit the shelf and, once mature at age 5–6 years, migrate from the shelf onto the continental slope into the Zhemchug, Pribilof, and Bering canyons by the end of winter. Bering Sea pollock recruitment and year class abundance have high annual variability, but there are no clear relationships between pollock year class strength and water temperature, ice distribution or survival on early ontogenesis stages (eggs and larvae). Young-of-the-year fish survival varies dramatically during winter supporting the hypothesis that the Bering Sea pollock recruitment and strength of year class have high annual variability depending on young-of-the-year fish survival during winter. The annual change of physical oceanography condition, productivity and species composition of zooplankton community are associated with great differences in pollock seasonal migrations and distribution, reproduction, survival of recruits at early stages of development and finally with abundance of year classes and total biomass. Implementation of ecosystem-based fishery management most important for application of pollock research both of Russian national program and on base of International Agreements.     

A spatially explicit, individual-based model to assess the role of estuarine nurseries in the early life history of North Sea herring, Clupea harengus

Herring (Clupea harengus) enter and remain within North Sea estuaries during well‐defined periods of their early life history. The costs and benefits of the migrations between offshore spawning grounds and upper, low‐salinity zones of estuarine nurseries are identified using a dynamic state‐variable model, in which the fitness of an individual is maximized by selecting the most profitable habitat. Spatio‐temporal gradients in temperature, turbidity, food availability and predation risk simulate the environment. We modeled predation as a function of temperature, the optical properties of the ambient water, the time allocation of feeding and the abundance of whiting (Merlangius merlangus). Growth and metabolic costs were assessed using a bioenergetic model. Model runs using real input data for the Scheldt estuary (Belgium, The Netherlands) and the southern North Sea show that estuarine residence results in fitter individuals through a considerable increase in survival probability of age‐0 fish. Young herring pay for their migration into safer estuarine water by foregoing growth opportunities at sea. We suggest that temperature and, in particular, the time lag between estuarine and seawater temperatures, acts as a basic cue for herring to navigate in the heterogeneous space between the offshore spawning grounds at sea and the oligohaline nursery zone in estuaries.