Coastal catch transects as a tool for studying global fisheries

We present a new, intuitive approach for the representation of fisheries catches within profiles perpendicular to coast of the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) of countries, or of Large Marine Ecosystems (LME). These ‘catch transects’ show where catch is extracted in the water column and near the sea bottom on plots of log‐bathymetry versus log‐distance offshore and thus allow for representation of the catch density of pelagic and benthic fisheries. Hence, they also allow direct visual comparison of the intensity of fishing through time and space. The California Current, North Sea and the South China Sea LMEs and the EEZs of Australia, Canada, Chile, China, India and Thailand are presented as examples, revealing the general intensification and extension of fishing offshore and into the depths over the decades from the 1950s. Catch transects reveal how these trends have accelerated in some areas, but surprisingly have reversed themselves in some others. It is proposed that these catch transects will be particularly useful for communicating the results of large‐scale fisheries studies to a wide spectrum of groups ranging from the fishing industry to the general public.     

Spatial and temporal variation in fish community structure and diversity in the largest tropical flood‐pulse system of South‐East Asia

The Tonle Sap River and Lake (TSRL) is South‐East Asia's largest tropical flood pulse with a flow‐reversal system that supports one of the world's largest freshwater fisheries. However, among the world's tropical floodplains, the resources of the TSRL have received little ecological research. Here, we described the spatiotemporal TSRL fish diversity and community variation using daily records from 2012 to 2015 on fish abundance from six sites covering the TSRL system. We found that high fish diversity occurred in sites located in the middle of Tonle Sap Lake, and the lowest diversity was observed in the southern section. The spatial abundance distribution patterns displayed a river–lake gradient, with three fish assemblages that were clustered based on their composition similarities and were characterised by 96 indicator species. In the southern section, fish assemblages were characterised by longitudinal migratory fishes; in contrast, in the middle system, fish assemblages were represented by species with combined ecological attributes (i.e. longitudinal and lateral migratory species and floodplain residents). Towards the northern section, fish assemblages were composed of lateral migratory and floodplain resident species. Species richness and abundance peaked at approximately 2–2.5 and 4 months, respectively, after the peak flow in early October, during which Tonle Sap River resumes its normal flow direction (outflow). This suggests that seasonal flood pulses (i.e. rising and falling water levels) play a pivotal role in structuring spatiotemporal variation in the TSRL fish assemblages. Our study has implications for fisheries monitoring and conservation initiatives.     

Availability of horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) in the north-eastern North Sea, predicted by the transport of Atlantic water

One of the clearest relationships between a single marine climate variable and fisheries yield is found between the transport of Atlantic water into the North Sea in the winter and catches of horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus L.) in the northern North Sea 6 months later. A three‐dimensional numerical model, the NORWegian ECOlogical Model system (NORWECOM), has estimated this inflow during the winter from 1976 to 2000, which is strongly correlated with the Norwegian fleet's catch of horse mackerel (r² = 0.70) in the following autumn. It is hypothesized that a large influx of this relatively warm and nutrient rich water during the winter may support an early spawning of zooplankton and high biological production during the spring and summer. This might be the biological reason for a large fraction of the horse mackerel stock migrating into the North Sea during strong inflows.     

Changing usage and value in the Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) program

An important element in the U.S. management of fisheries in the North Pacific is the existence of Community Development Quotas (CDQs) which grant community corporations the right to fish in many fisheries off the coast of Alaska. The eastern Bering Sea pollock fishery is the largest of these fisheries, with 10 % of the quota allocated to CDQs. The CDQ program evolved from a partial catch share program that existed from 1992 to 1999 within a limited-entry fishery to a full catch share program with separate spatial rights. In this paper I examine the temporal and spatial uses of CDQ rights and how these uses have changed since the implementation of catch shares throughout the fishery. I also discuss the dispersion of CDQ royalties since the program’s inception and examine the prices of CDQ fishing rights from 1992 to 2005 when data on quota value were reported to the government. I compare quota prices to information about walleye pollock fishing and examine the evolving use of CDQ rights. The use of the CDQ right has changed from extending the season to enabling fishing in otherwise closed areas during the season. The number of vessels fishing with CDQ rights has declined substantially, with all pollock CDQ fishing now done by at-sea processors.     

Interannual-decadal variability of demersal fish assemblages in the Tsushima Warm Current region of the Japan Sea: Impacts of climate regime shifts and trawl fisheries with implications for ecosystem-based management

Data sets for two bottom trawl fisheries, the coastal pair-trawler fishery and offshore single-trawler fishery in the Tsushima Warm Current (TWC) region of the Japan Sea, were compiled and analyzed for the last three decades (1974-2006). These data sets were used to (1) identify and compare the variability in demersal fish assemblages, and (2) relate these to water temperature to examine the impacts of climate regime shifts. Principal component analysis (PCA) of catches of target species in the two trawler fisheries showed synchronous decadal variability with step changes around 1986/1987 and 1996/1997. These step changes strongly suggest the effect of the late 1980s climate regime shift, which was characterized by an abrupt change from a cool to a warm condition in the TWC. The first and second principal components (PC1 and PC2) for both trawler fisheries agreed closely with winter and summer water temperature in the Japan Sea, respectively, suggesting PC1 (PC2) was associated with cold- (warm-) water species. However, between warm- and cold-water species the response pattern to water temperature was different. CPUE (catch per unit effort) of warm- (cold-) water species correlated positively (negatively) with water temperature, indicating the increase in water temperature has a positive (negative) effect on warm- (cold-) water species. Cold-water species decreased (increased) both in biomass and distribution during the warm (cold) regime, while warm-water species increased in biomass and/or distribution during the warm 1990s. These results suggested that the demersal fish assemblage structure changed abruptly as a consequence of the late 1980s climate regime shift. Impact of fishing was unclear on the demersal fish assemblage as a whole, but fishing pressure has been intensified for specific species under unfavorable climate regimes even with a declining fishing effort. Differing response patterns between warm- and cold-water species to climate regime shifts suggest the importance of integrated assessment and ecosystem-based management for the whole trawl fishery rather than only for individual target species.     

Analysis of meso scaled spatial distribution of dab Limanda limanda in the German Bight: does the type of fishing gear matter?

ABSTRACT:   In the North Sea, studies are carried out to assess the effect of offshore windmills on the spatial distributions of various fish species, based on data often obtained from different fishing gears. In this study, spatial analysis of three size classes of dab Limanda limanda in the German Bight was undertaken and the effect of different fishing gear type on analyzing spatial patterns are assessed, using geostatistics. In an area equal in size to a wind park (with ∼ 200 windmills), a comparative fishing experiment was carried out, where a 7 m-beam trawl and an otter trawl were employed. Structural analyses showed a presence of spatial autocorrelation in the catch data in all cases. The use of an efficient sampling gear led to an improved resolution of spatial structuring, but did not necessarily result in reduction of nugget variability. Ecological parameters derived from a spatial analysis were in good agreement in cases of high abundance and similar gear efficiency. Thus, it is shown that the type of gear matters in cases of low species abundance. Therefore, to achieve reliable results of a structural analysis and an accurate spatial assessment of fisheries data, it is recommended that the abundance of the target species (biological group) and efficiency of the sampling gear are considered.     

夏季台湾海峡北部及邻近海域鱼类群落结构及环境解释

根据2014年7月台湾海峡中部、北部及邻近水域渔业资源底拖网调查资料,分析了该水域的鱼类群落结构,包括种类组成、区系特点、优势种、多样性及空间分布等,探讨了鱼类群落结构与环境因子的关系,并阐述了鱼类群落的群聚结构。结果表明,调查海域共捕获鱼类84种,隶属于16目、48科、69属。从种类数上看,适温类型以暖水种为主,区系类型以大陆架浅水底层鱼类以及大陆架岩礁性鱼类为主;从生物量组成上看,区系类型则以大陆架浅水中低层鱼类为主。优势种为带鱼(Trichiurus japonicus)和七星底灯鱼(Benthosema pterotum),合计渔获质量占总渔获质量的46.92%,对总渔获质量的回归贡献值分别为0.30和0.62;高生物量区集中分布在台湾海峡北口海域,在空间上表现为明显的生态位重叠。层次聚类分析将群落优势物种划分为2个主要的生态类型:沿海类型和广布类型,沿海类型的代表性物种包括龙头鱼、黄鲫、鳓;广布类型物种有带鱼、窄颅带鱼、七星底灯鱼、竹荚鱼、刺鲳、麦氏犀鳕。Shannon-Wiener多样性、Pielou均匀度和Margalef丰富度的变化范围分别为0.22~2.31、0.11~0.72、0.36~4.04,平均值分别为1.44、0.51、1.59,丰富度与总渔获质量表现为显著负相关(r=?0.65),与深度显著正相关(r=0.48)。物种?环境典范对应分析表明,与物种空间结构关系密切的影响因子为底盐、底层无机氮、底温、表底温差和水深;而影响群落优势群体分布的因子为底温、底盐和底层无机氮。     

The effects of ecoregions and local environmental characteristics on spatial patterns in boreal riverine fish assemblages

The conservation, management and monitoring of aquatic resources should benefit from understanding their spatial structuring. In this paper, we used the reference condition approach (RCA) to test if the variability in biotic communities, riverine fish assemblages in the present case, is better controlled with a spatial delineation based on ecoregions or by grouping rivers with local catchment characteristics. Electrofishing data from 493 riffles in 99 rivers in Finland were used in the analysis. We completed multivariate analyses (nonmetric multidimensional scaling, multiresponse permutation procedures) to identify differences in fish community composition among groups based on ecoregions or catchment characteristics. We concluded that both regional processes and local environmental characteristics structured fish populations, and bioassessment of freshwaters should be based on regional spatial delineations, supported by local scale characteristics. Spatial delineations like ecoregions should be used to assist the bioassessment to improve the efficiency to detect the human impacts.     

Fish assemblages in Atlantic Forest streams: the relative influence of local and catchment environments on taxonomic and functional species

Streams are under environmental pressures acting at different scales that influence the ecological organisation of their fish assemblages. However, the relative influence of the different scale‐related variables on assemblage composition and function is poorly understood. We evaluated the importance of local‐ and catchment‐scale environmental variables, as well as the spatial structure of the sampling sites, in shaping fish assemblages in Atlantic Forest streams. Local‐scale variables were those measured at the sampling sites, describing the local habitat conditions (e.g. depth, substrate type, altitude). Catchment‐scale variables were those integrating the upstream landscape of the sampling sites (e.g. catchment land use). Spatial distances were calculated from watercourse distance using principal coordinates of neighbour matrices. Altogether, 28 local and seven catchment variables were initially subjected to two processes of eliminating co‐linearity. Redundancy analysis was applied to the three matrices (spatial, local and catchment) to quantify the variance in the structure of the fish assemblages explained by each matrix. Local variables explained more variability in both taxonomic and functional assemblage structure, than catchment and spatial variables. Local variables also changed along the longitudinal gradient, which consequently influenced fish assemblage structure. This pattern was also influenced by anthropogenic alteration and non‐native species, which were more abundant in downstream sites. These results highlight the need to assess Atlantic Forest streams under different environmental scales, especially through the use of quantitative local‐scale metrics, and to consider the effects of longitudinal patterns in structuring fish assemblages when developing and implementing monitoring programmes, impact studies and conservation plans.     

Biogeographic freshwater fish pattern legacy revealed despite rapid socio‐economic changes in China

Understanding drivers of freshwater fish assemblages is critically important for biodiversity conservation strategies, especially in rapidly developing countries, which often have environmental protections lagging behind economic development. The influences of natural and human factors in structuring fish assemblages and their relative contributions are likely to change given the increasing magnitude of human activities. To discriminate natural and human drivers of fish diversity and assemblage patterns in developing countries with rapid socio‐economic development, a dataset of 908 freshwater fish species and 13 metrics including three categories of both natural (i.e., biogeographic) and human drivers (i.e., economic growth, inland fisheries) in China were analysed with machine learning algorithms (i.e., self‐organizing map, random forest). Here, we found that biogeographic drivers explained 21.8% of the observed fish assemblage patterns in China and remained stronger predictors when compared to human drivers (i.e., 15.6%, respectively). Freshwater fish species richness was positively correlated to rainfall, air temperature, surface water area and inland fisheries production but negatively correlated with urbanization. In addition, the strong structuring effects of climatic variables on Chinese fish richness patterns suggested that the fish assemblages could be particularly vulnerable to climate change. Our results showed that natural biogeographic factors still dominate in driving freshwater fish assemblage patterns despite increased human disturbances on aquatic ecosystems in a rapidly developing country. These findings consequently suggested that we should consider both natural (e.g., climate) and human (e.g., urbanization, inland fisheries) factors when establishing aquatic conservation strategies and priorities for developing countries that are experiencing rapid socio‐economic changes.     

Patterns of species and functional diversity around a coastal marine reserve: a fisheries perspective

• 1. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are expected to function simultaneously as biological conservation and fisheries management tools, but empirical evidence linking biodiversity conservation with fisheries benefits is scarce. Around the Medes Islands marine reserve (Spain, NW Mediterranean) patterns of fish catch diversity, catch (CPUE) and income (IPUE) were assessed and the economic value of diversity for local fisheries was explored by combining a Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis with geostatistics.
• 2. Catch data were derived from the trammel net fleet operating around the MPA to gain information on species diversity, functional diversity, functional redundancy, CPUE and IPUE.
• 3. Results revealed significant impact of both the fishing prohibition in the MPA and the presence of seagrass beds on diversity metrics, catch and income. Clear differences in functional redundancy in fish assemblages were found within the study area, indicating greater resilience of the fish assemblage against fishing pressure or human impact close to the MPA (?2 km). In contrast, fish assemblages beyond 2 km of the MPA border are more vulnerable to disturbance. High values of diversity, CPUE and IPUE overlapped close to the MPA border and close to seagrass beds.
• 4. The spatial approach developed suggests that, in addition to the more commonly studied effect of density‐dependent spillover of adult fish, increased levels of ecological diversity and economic diversity can also result in fisheries benefits of an MPA. Hence, the fishing regulations in and around the Medes Islands marine reserve have shown that biological conservation and fisheries benefits can be complementary in the long‐term, which should be considered in future policies for MPAs or MPA networks.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spatial structure and temporal patterns in a large marine ecosystem: Exploited reef fishes of the southeast United States

The continental shelf of the southeast United States forms one of North America's Large Marine Ecosystems (LME). Despite increased attention on ecosystem management, fisheries within this LME continue to be managed on a single stock basis, in part because interactions among species and environmental effects are poorly understood. Using fishery data from two different sources (recreational and commercial), we applied multivariate statistical techniques to elucidate spatial and temporal dynamics of reef fish assemblages. Spatial analyses of species composition revealed a zoogeographic boundary near Cape Canaveral, Florida, suggesting that management of reef fishes could be applied to the northern and southern regions with discrimination. Temporal analyses revealed, in general, gradual changes in species composition of landings, but with primary shifts in 1992 and again in 1999–2000. Chronological patterns, evident in these two independent data sets, bear the signature of one or more trending factors, which in this LME could include increased exploitation, spread of invasive species, habitat degradation, or climate change.     

Fish assemblages of the northern Argentine coastal system: spatial patterns and their temporal variations

The springtime spatial pattern of demersal fish assemblages in the northern Argentine coastal ecosystem (34°–41°S) and their relationships with environmental variables were investigated over 6 years (1981, 1983, 1994, 1995, 1998 and 1999). For each fish assemblage area for each year, we identified the most common species and those species that had the highest ability to discriminate it from adjacent assemblage areas. Within each area, species were considered as resident (common in all years) or facultative (contributing to less than 90% of similarity within any year). The analysis (detrended canonical correspondence analysis), conducted using species abundances (t nm^?2) and environmental data, indicated that six fish assemblage areas are consistently distinguishable. The fish assemblage areas correspond to inner, central and middle regions of the Río de la Plata estuary, and inner, central and middle regions of the coastal shelf. Spatial differences in the composition among areas were primarily due to changes in species composition rather than changes in relative abundance, and were primarily related to water mass characteristics. Salinity in the estuary and temperature on the shelf were more relevant to the spatial structuring of the fish community in each environment. The assemblage areas showed a remarkable degree of temporal persistence in species composition and geographical location. The facultative species contributed more to the species composition temporal dynamics than resident species. El Niño (La Niña) condition, associated with increase (decrease) of the Río de la Plata freshwater discharge, produced a movement of the estuarine assemblage areas to the coastal shelf (upriver). Under normal freshwater discharge conditions, the boundaries of the fish assemblages were relatively more stable.     

黄海南部近岸海域鱼类群落结构与区系划分

黄海南部海域具有复杂的水团结构和海流环境,使该海域鱼类群落产生较为复杂的空间结构。为研究黄海南部近岸海域鱼类群落结构特征,实验根据2014—2015年对该海域进行4个季度的底拖网调查数据,利用多元统计方法分析了该海域鱼类群落的分布格局并比较了各群落的相对生物量、生物多样性、优势种等结构特征。应用聚类分析(cluster)和多维标度排序(MDS)分析将黄海南部近岸海域划分为海州湾群落与江苏近岸群落;海州湾群落的平均相对资源量和生物多样性均高于江苏近岸群落,而暖温性与暖水性鱼类所占比重相对较低;海州湾群落的优势种主要为方氏云鳚、大泷六线鱼和日本鳀等,季节变化显著;江苏近岸群落的优势种为短吻红舌鳎、途、棘头梅童鱼和黑鳃梅童鱼等,季节变化不明显。研究表明,黄海南部近岸海域可划分为海州湾区系与江苏近岸区系,其鱼类群落结构特征具有显著差异。海流、水团、底质类型及水深等环境因子是形成鱼类群落结构差异的主要因素。     

基于渔获物统计的中国近海鱼类营养级结构变换及其与捕捞作业的关系

为了解我国东部海域(渤海、黄海和东海)和南海的鱼类生态结构和渔业资源变化特征,本研究在1983—2013年中国海洋渔船渔获统计数据的基础上,首先将渔获物中的鱼类按照营养级归类,然后计算其平均营养级(TL)和Fi B指数,并结合海洋捕捞作业方式,对鱼类的营养级结构长期变化进行分析。结果表明,在东部海域捕捞的25种主要鱼类渔获中,31年间TL呈现下降趋势,低营养层级鱼类比例增长了60%,中营养层级鱼类比例增长了129%,高营养级鱼类则下降了近51%;而在南海,31年间TL变化不明显,低营养级鱼类比例下降了6%,中营养级鱼类下降了43%,高营养级鱼类增长198%。东部海域和南海的渔获物鱼类生态结构变化说明,就营养级水平而言,东部海域近海渔业资源呈现明显的衰退现象,而南海则还未出现这种现象。     

Size matters: How single-species management can contribute to ecosystem-based fisheries management

In this study we show how substantial gains towards the goals of ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) can be achieved by different single-species management. We show that fishing has much less impact on stocks if fish are caught after they have reached the size (L_opt) where growth rate and cohort biomass are maximum. To demonstrate our point we compare the impact of three fishing scenarios on 9 stocks from the North Sea and the Baltic. Scenario (1) is the current fishing regime, scenario (2) is a new management regime proposed by the European Commission, aiming for maximum sustainable yield obtained from all stocks, and scenario (3) is set so that it achieves the same yield as scenario (2), albeit with fishing on sizes beyond L_opt. Results show that scenarios (2) and (3) are significant improvements compared to current fishing practice. However, scenario (3) consistently shows least impact on the stocks, with seven-fold higher biomass of demersal fishes and an age structure similar to an unfished stock. This allows juveniles and adults to better fulfil their ecological roles, a major step towards the goals of ecosystem-based fisheries management. We give examples where scenario (3) is practiced in successful fisheries. We present a new interpretation of the relative yield per recruit isopleth diagram with indication of a new target area for fisheries operating within the context of EBFM. We present a new expression of the relative biomass per recruit isopleth diagram, which supports our analysis. We conclude that size matters for precautionary and ecosystem-based fisheries management and present a list of additional advantages associated with fishing at L_opt.     

ARIMA模型在预测长江靖江段沿岸鱼类渔获量时间格局中的应用

为了建立捕捞渔获量预测模型,实验利用2000—2016年印度洋渔获量数据,采用灰色系统理论方法,分析了影响其总渔获量的主要渔获类别,建立多种GM模型 (Grey model)并进行比较,同时利用2017年与2018年的数据进行验证,得到的最优GM模型用来预测2019—2025年印度洋总捕捞渔获量。结果显示,影响印度洋总渔获量的主要类别有底层鱼类、甲壳类、中上层鱼类、其他海洋鱼类和头足类,其灰色关联度均在0.70以上,经过筛选得到的最优预测模型为GM (1, 5)和GM (1, 6),平均相对误差分别为1.83%和1.90%,灰色关联度均在0.9以上。2017年和2018年预测平均相对误差分别为3.78%和3.42%。2019—2020、2021—2025年印度洋总渔获量预测值分别为1 186万~1 290万t、1 227万~1 324万t,其主要渔获量增加可能来自中上层鱼类、头足类以及底层鱼类等。研究表明,2021—2025年印度洋总渔获量的增长幅度有限,总增长量在80万t以内,基本处于充分开发阶段,建议未来应严格控制渔业发展规模,确保印度洋海洋渔业的可持续发展和渔业资源可持续利用。     

南海北部渔业生物声学密度的底表层间差异及与多类非生物因子的相关性分析

本研究旨在分析南海北部渔业生物在不同水层(表层混合层和底层冷水层)间声学密度的差异, 并探讨这种差异与 41 种非生物因子的相关关系, 以期为南海北部渔业资源的有效管理和保护提供科学依据。研究采用渔业声学方法, 使用 Simrad EY60 分裂波束科学探鱼仪在南海北部进行声学数据采集。通过 Echoview 渔业声学数据处理系统分析声学数据, 计算表层和底层的声学密度(NASC)。采用极限梯度提升算法(XGBoost)和随机森林算法(random forest)建模分析 41 种非生物因子对声学密度差异的影响, 并评估因子的重要性。研究发现, 底层渔业生物声学密度明显高于表层, 底层平均值为 106.00 m² /nmi² , 表层为 43.39 m² /nmi² 。极限梯度提升算法和随机森林算法的建模效果相似, 重要性分析显示, 温度因素(底层 2 m 温度、表–底温度差、表层 2 m 温度)和水深是影响声学密度差异的最关键因素。南海北部渔业资源的表层多、底层少的负值区域主要分布在海南岛周边。温度和水深是影响渔业生物分布差异的主要因素, 而人类活动对磷酸盐、叶绿素等因子的调节也可能对声学密度差异产生影响。这些发现为南海北部渔业资源的管理和保护提供了重要科学依据。     

以灰色系统理论 (GM) 模型为基础构建印度洋捕捞渔获量预测模型

为了建立捕捞渔获量预测模型，实验利用2000—2016年印度洋渔获量数据，采用灰色系统理论方法，分析了影响其总渔获量的主要渔获类别，建立多种GM模型(Grey model)并进行比较，同时利用2017年与2018年的数据进行验证，得到的最优GM模型用来预测2019—2025年印度洋总捕捞渔获量。结果显示，影响印度洋总渔获量的主要类别有底层鱼类、甲壳类、中上层鱼类、其他海洋鱼类和头足类，其灰色关联度均在0.70以上，经过筛选得到的最优预测模型为GM (1, 5)和GM (1, 6)，平均相对误差分别为1.83%和1.90%，灰色关联度均在0.9以上。2017年和2018年预测平均相对误差分别为3.78%和3.42%。2019—2020、2021—2025年印度洋总渔获量预测值分别为1 186万～1 290万t、1 227万～1 324万t，其主要渔获量增加可能来自中上层鱼类、头足类以及底层鱼类等。研究表明，2021—2025年印度洋总渔获量的增长幅度有限，总增长量在80万t以内，基本处于充分开发阶段，建议未来应严格控制渔业发展规模，确保印度洋海洋渔业的可持续发展和渔业资源可持续利用。     

Distribution and abundance of overwintering Calanus finmarchicus in the Faroe–Shetland Channel

The distribution and abundance of overwintering Calanus finmarchicus in the Faroe–Shetland Channel was studied during December 1994 and January 1995. Maximum abundance of animals in the Channel was approximately 50 000 m⁻², with a peak concentration of 627 m⁻³ at a depth of 930 m. Copepodite stages IV and V accounted for > 98% of the population. A clear association was found between the horizontal and vertical distribution of animals and the Arctic water masses in the bottom of the Faroe–Shetland Channel. The Wyville–Thomson Ridge formed a barrier to the southern distribution of Arctic waters and the abundance of overwintering C. finmarchicus was 25 times lower to the south of the Ridge than to the north. Spatial variability in lipid content and composition indicated that overwintering C. finmarchicus in the southern Norwegian Sea were in poorer condition with respect to wax ester content, and in a more advanced state of emergence from overwintering, than the animals within the Channel. The overwintering stock in the Channel probably originated from the Norwegian Sea or from north of the Faroe Islands. The Faroe–Shetland Channel is an important source of animals advected into the northern North Sea in the spring (March/April). The population abundance in the Faroe–Shetland Channel was estimated to be 4.5 × 10¹⁴ individuals, which is more than adequate to account for the mean concentration of adult stages observed in the northern North Sea in April.