The hydraulically integrated serial turbidostat algal reactor (HISTAR) for microalgal production

A hydraulically integrated serial turbidostat algal reactor (HISTAR) for the mass production of microalgae was designed, constructed and preliminarily evaluated. The 9266-l experimental system consists of two enclosed turbidostats hydraulically linked to a series of six open continuous-flow, stirred-tank reactors (CFSTRs). The system was monitored and controlled using GENESIS process control software. A production study was preformed using Isochrysis sp. (C-iso) to assess system stability and production potential under commercial-like conditions. The study was performed at the following target system parameters: system dilution rate of 0.49 per day, pH 7.6, NITROGEN=10 mg l⁻¹, PHOSPHORUS=2 mg l⁻¹, and artificial illumination (photosynthetic photon flux density) from 1000 W metal halide LAMPS=800 μmol s⁻¹ m⁻². At steady state conditions, daily harvested algal paste was 1454 g (wet), mean areal system PRODUCTIVITY=47.8±3.04 g m⁻² per day (17.1±1.09 g C m⁻² per day) and mean CFSTR6 DENSITY=105.5±6.71 mg l⁻¹.     

Contaminant washout in a hydraulically integrated serial turbidostat algal reactor (HISTAR)

A hydraulically integrated serial turbidostat algal reactor (HISTAR) was mathematically modeled and designed for large-scale production of microalgae. HISTAR, which combines turbidostats with a series of continuous-flow stirred-tank reactors (CFSTRs), was designed with contaminant mitigation as a primary design parameter. The concept of contaminant mitigation in the series of CFSTRs is discussed and three mathematical models presented to predict contaminant washout within the CFSTRs. Model simulations indicated that the hydraulic regime within each CFSTR is crucial to the contaminant mitigation process in the series of CFSTRs. Experiments on the HISTAR system with a liquid volume of about 8500 l, culturing Chaetoceros muelleri (CHAET 10), demonstrated that 0.8 million live rotifers, intentionally added to the first CFSTR, were washed out of the six CFSTRs at a local dilution rate of 4 day⁻¹. In another experiment, Thalassiosira sp. cultured at a dilution rate of 0.667 day⁻¹ fell victim to a few rotifers that inadvertently entered the CFSTRs. The validity of the washout concepts was demonstrated further when the ≈300 million live rotifers in the CFSTRs were completely washed out by simply increasing the dilution rate to 4 day⁻¹.     

Effects of different fertilization and feeding regimes on the production of integrated farming of rice and prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man)

An experiment was conducted in rice field plots each of 30 m² to determine the appropriate combination of feeding and fertilization regimes for the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man, 1879) cultured along with rice in rice fields. There were four treatments: rice culture only with regular fertilization (A, control); rice–prawn integrated culture with regular fertilization (B); rice–prawn integrated culture with basal fertilization and commercial feed (C) and rice–prawn integrated culture with regular fertilization and commercial feed (D). Juvenile prawns of 1.5‐g size were stocked on the third day after rice transplantation at a density of 2 prawns m^?2 and fed twice daily at 5% reducing to 2% of body weight during the experiment. The rice yield in treatment D (0.42 kg m^?2) was significantly higher than that in other treatments (0.34, 0.36, 0.34 kg m^?2 in treatments A, B, C respectively). Prawns grew significantly faster (P<0.05) in treatments C and D (23.8±0.9 and 22.0±1.7 g prawn^?1 respectively) than in treatment B (14.7±1.6 g prawn^?1). Prawn production in treatment C (347±13 kg ha^?1 crop^?1) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that (234±30 kg ha^?1 crop^?1) in treatment B, while in treatment D (296±53 kg ha^?1 crop^?1) it was not significantly different from that in treatments B and C (P>0.05). Treatment C gave the highest economic returns among all treatments, followed by treatments D and B, indicating that the combination of basal fertilization and commercial feed is the most appropriate nutrient input regime for the rice–prawn integrated culture system.     

Outdoor phytoplankton continuous culture in a marine fish–phytoplankton–bivalve integrated system: combined effects of dilution rate and ambient conditions on growth rate, biomass and nutrient cycling

Natural phytoplankton populations were cultured in outdoor continuous cultures using fish-farm effluents as the source of nutrients. The dilution rate was assumed to be the integrating factor of phytoplankton growth and biomass development (flux and stock). In this context, the combined effects of (i) dilution rates of the outdoor culture and (ii) ambient conditions were tested on phytoplankton growth, biomass and cycling of the major nutrient elements (C, N and P). Experiments were carried out in outdoor polyester tanks (0.7 m deep), homogenised by gentle aeration. Si/P ratio was balanced at around 5 in the inflow in order to induce diatom domination while maintaining high N and P assimilation by phytoplankton. Nutrient cycling was assessed through analyses of the different forms of particulate and dissolved nutrients in the inflow and the outflow. Culture dilution rates determined the longevity of the culture and the assimilation efficiency of nutrients. Dissolved phosphorus was the most limiting nutrient. The optimal dilution rate was approximately 0.5 day⁻¹ at 10 °C and 1.5 day⁻¹ at 20 °C with a mean diatom biomass of 9 μM P. Under these conditions, 80% of the dissolved nutrients provided to the tanks were transformed, a production of 8 g C m⁻² day⁻¹ and an assimilation rate of 0.3 g P m⁻² day⁻¹ were recorded. Assimilation by diatoms was the major pathway of nutrient cycling. During the experiment, a bottom sediment developed progressively and this also played an important role in denitrifying the excess dissolved nitrogen in the fish-farm effluent. However, the results showed that diatom biomass can collapse and we hypothesize that this was the consequence of an increase in cellular sinking rates due to cell aggregation under nutrient or light stress. Modelling approaches are needed in future research in order to determine optimal dilution rates taking into account phytoplankton growth rates, nutrient inputs and ambient conditions (e.g. light and temperature).     

An integrated recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) for land-based fish farming: The effects on water quality and fish production

To mitigate the serious water pollution caused by the rapid expansion of the aquaculture industry in recent years, the development of improved aquaculture systems with more efficient water usage and less environmental impact has become essential. In this study, a land-based recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) was established that consisted of purification units (i.e., a primary biological pond, two parallel horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands [CWs], and a long ecological ditch) and 4-5 series-connected recirculating ponds. This system was mainly designed to stock channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), fifteen spine stickleback (Spinibarbus sinensis) and yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco), and the culture efficacy was evaluated based on a 2-year field experiment covering two growing seasons. According to the results, the primary biological pond played a role in sedimentation or nutrient retention, although this was not as evident when the CWs were functioning. The water flowing through the wetland system at a hydraulic loading rate (HLR) of 600 mm/day displayed lower values for the temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), suspended solids, organic matter and nutrients, whereas the electrical conductivity (EC) was higher, suggesting the accumulation of dissolved solids in the system. Due to the recirculation treatment, the trophic status of the recirculating ponds increased gradually along the direction of the flow and was notably lower in comparison to the control. As a result, the fish production responded to the variation of the water quality, which was reflected in the measurements of culture efficacy (final weight, survival rate, SGR and yield). The three main rearing species showed a decreasing trend along the direction of the flow, which was higher compared to the control, whereas an opposite trend was observed for filter-feeding fish. A Pearson correlation analysis revealed that the main culture species were inclined to live in meso- or oligotrophic conditions, and the silver carp adapted to more eutrophic conditions. Because RAS can provide better environmental conditions year-round, the present culture method could be more suitable for species that are sensitive to water quality in typical subtropical areas.     

缢蛏动态能量收支生长模型的建立

为建立缢蛏动态能量收支(dynamic energy budget,DEB)的数值模型,实验根据DEB理论,采用相应方法测定计算了建模必须的形状系数(δm)、阿伦纽斯温度(TA)、单位时间单位体积维持生命所需的能量[pM]、形成单位体积结构物质所需的能量[EG]和单位体积最大储存能量[EM]等基本参数.以水温和叶绿素浓...     

Evaluation of nitrogen cycling and fish production in seasonal ponds (‘Fingerponds’) in Lake Victoria wetlands,East Africa using a dynamic simulation model

A dynamic model was developed to simulate nitrogen (N) flows and fish production in seasonal wetland fish ponds (Fingerponds) based on organic manuring and natural food production. The model incorporates pond water depth, food availability, fish stocking densities, fish and fingerling weights at stocking, reproduction rate, manure type and application rates. The ponds were fertilized fortnightly with 1042 kg ha⁻¹ chicken manure. The model captured the dynamics of hydrology, nutrients and fish and demonstrated that similar fundamental processes underlie fish production in these systems. The model predicted annual fish yields of up to 2800 kg ha⁻¹. Simulated fish production, chlorophyll a and dissolved inorganic N concentrations were comparable with field measurements. Using the model, N budgets and estimates of all N flows were made. Most of the N input into the ponds (60–70%) accumulated in the bottom detritus of the pond and only 8–10% was converted into fish biomass, of which about half consisted of small fish. Fish production in Fingerponds was limited by turbidity induced light limitation and by nutrient limitation. Reduction of variability of fish production should come from reduced turbidity and sufficient nutrient input to minimize light limitation and maximize fish growth.     

Mass culture of fairy shrimp Branchinecta orientalis (G. O. Sars 1901) (Crustacea: Anostraca) using effluent of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum 1792) ponds

The variable quality and high price of Artemia (Leach 1819) cyst products, used worldwide as live food, motivate aquaculturists to find an appropriate alternative, especially for fresh/brackish water organisms. In this study, Branchinecta orientalis (G. O. Sars 1901), a common fairy shrimp in north‐western Iran, was reared for 15 days using effluent from trout ponds enriched with effluent filtrate as sole feed, or co‐fed with microalgae (Scenedesmus sp.). The effluent filtrate was replaced by algae at different ratios (25% and 50%), and feeding experiments were designed at densities of 100, 200 and 400 individuals/L in 3‐L containers and at 100 individuals/L in 20‐L containers. The results indicated that, at a certain density, the final length and survival were not significantly affected by different feeding regimes (p > .05). In 3‐L containers, the highest length and survival were observed at the lowest density. B. orientalis contained the highest amounts of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, though, when co‐fed algae, although the differences with the treatment fed solely effluent filtrate were often limited. Inclusion of algae in the diet also resulted in higher levels of a number of PUFAs. Our study proves that B. orientalis can be mass‐cultured successfully using trout effluent as culture medium without additional microalgae. Fish pond effluent is massively available as a cheap food source. Recycling aquaculture effluent for this type of live food production contributes to lowering the use of natural resources and to less discharge of nutrient loads into natural water bodies.     

应用贝叶斯生物量动态模型评估印度洋黄鳍金枪鱼资源

利用贝叶斯生物量动态模型对印度洋黄鳍金枪鱼(Thunnus albacares)资源进行了评估,并分析了不同标准化单位捕捞努力渔获量(catch per unit effort,CPUE)、内禀增长率(r)先验分布对评估结果的影响。结果表明:(1)模型能较好拟合日本延绳钓渔业的标准化CPUE,但对中国台湾延绳钓渔业的标准化CPUE拟合较差;当模型单独使用日本标准化CPUE时,评估结果显示印度洋黄鳍金枪鱼被过度捕捞;若模型单独使用中国台湾标准化CPUE,则结果相反,显示印度洋黄鳍金枪鱼未被过度捕捞;而当同时使用两个标准化CPUE时,日本标准化CPUE数据获得更大估计权重,因此,评估结果与单独使用日本标准化CPUE的结果类似。(2)当r采用无信息先验时,r估计偏小,而环境容纳量(K)估计则偏大,参数估计不合理;当r采用信息先验时,r与K的后验分布估计相对合理;由于r与K存在显著的负相关关系,生物量动态模型难于同时有效估计这两个参数,特别是在数据质量较差情况下,因而采用信息先验能提高生物量动态模型参数估计的质量。(3)本研究利用偏差信息准则(Deviance Information Criterion,DIC)与均方误差(Mean Square Error,MSE)统计量对模型进行了比较,并选择模型S8用于评价印度洋黄鳍金枪鱼的资源状态。评估结果认为印度洋黄鳍金枪鱼被过度捕捞,既存在捕捞型过度捕捞,也存在资源型过度捕捞,这与资源合成(Stock synthesis version 3,SS3)等模型的评价结果一致。     

Increased production of green mussels (Perna viridis) using longline culture and an economic comparison with stake culture on the north coast of Java,Indonesia

The effectiveness of green mussel (Perna viridis) cultivation was compared between longline culture and the traditional bamboo stake method using different mussel densities in a rural area on the north coast of Java, Indonesia. The study took place in a rural area about 2 km north‐east from the city of Semarang where unsustainable shrimp and fish pond culture in the past has led to massive mangrove loss, spiralling environmental degradation and socio‐economic disintegration. Mangrove‐friendly alternatives for a sustainable socio‐economic recovery of local livelihoods are urgently being sought. Longlines were more successful than the stake method in spat collection. Longlines also showed a small but significantly higher relative weight gain and specific growth rate for mussels than bamboo stakes. Mussels in lower densities showed higher survival and grew to larger individual sizes, but initial seeding density had no significant effect on relative weight gain or specific growth rate per stocking. Slightly lower set‐up costs and time investment and somewhat higher yields for longlines give an almost twofold higher income per time unit of own time invested by the farmer for longline culture over the traditional stake culture method. The profitability of mussel culture using the stake method is below the average hourly wage for skilled labour, but above that when using the longline method. We conclude that green mussel culture using the longline system is feasible as an alternative to less sustainable forms of livelihood for the local communities in mangrove areas.     

Juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L., 1758) farmed in a modern low-water exchange RAS device: Growth performance using different diets and its commercial implications

One step to improve the economics of Recirculated Aquaculture Systems (RAS) is the use of the right feed. A 12-week lasting growth trial with juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) with an average initial weight of 54.4 ± 19.3 g evaluated the economic impact of choosing the best feed. Therefore, commercially available feeds recommended for turbot culture, two floating (feed 1 and feed 3) and one sinking (feed 2), were tested in a low-water exchange RAS device. Compositions of the macronutrients for the floating diets were 56.0% (protein), 12.0% (fat), 1.1% (fiber), and 10.0% (ash) for feed 1, which will be referred to as Floating 1, and 55.0% (protein), 16.0% (fat), 0.7% (fiber), and 11.0% (ash) for feed 3, which will be referred as Floating 2. The macronutrient composition of feed 2, which will be referred to as Sinking, was 50.0% (protein), 15.0% (fat), 1.4% (fiber), and 9.9% (ash). Growth performance differed significantly between feeds; the specific growth rates (SGR) ranged between 0.92% d^?1 (Sinking) and 1.25% d^?1 (Floating 1 and 2), resulting in a significantly higher growth rate for the floating feeds. Feed conversion ratios (FCR) were also significantly different, and Sinking showed the highest FCRs during the experiment. We assume that this was caused by the different swimming characteristics of the feeds and the foraging behavior of the fish instead of the different nutritional compositions of the diets. Including retailer prices, the feed costs per kg produced fish differed between 9.3% and 20.2%, resulting in the highest production costs for the Sinking. Therefore, finding the right feed for turbot and optimizing the feeding regime according to its requirements will improve the economic feasibility of turbot culture.     

Polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism in a cell culture model of essential fatty acid deficiency in a freshwater fish, carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Proliferation of an essential fatty acid deficient cell line from carp (EPC-EFAD; epithelioma papillosum carp-essential fatty acid deficient) is stimulated by supplementing the cells with C₂₀, but not C₁₈ polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). It is hypothesized that the differential ability of the PUFA to stimulate proliferation of the EPC-EFAD cells may be related to the extent of the cells' ability to desaturate and elongate C₁₈ PUFA. In the present study, the metabolism of ¹⁴C-labeled C₁₈ and C₂₀ PUFA was investigated in EPC-EFAD cells in comparison with normal EPC cells. The incorporation of all the PUFA was significantly greater in EPC-EFAD cells but the rank order, 20:5n-3 > 18:3n-3 = 18:2n-6 >20:4n-6 was the same in both cell lines. The proportion of radioactivity from all labeled PUFA recovered in phosphatidylethanolamine and total polar lipids was significantly lower in EPC-EFAD cells compared to EPC cells, whereas the proportion of radioactivity recovered in all the other phospholipid classes and total neutral lipid was greater in EPC-EFAD cells. Both cell lines desaturated[1-¹⁴C]18:3n-3 and [1-¹⁴C]20:5n-3 to a greater extent than the corresponding (n-6) substrates but the desaturation of all the ¹⁴ C-labeled PUFA was significantly greater in EPC-EFAD cells compared to EPC cells. The results showed that, although essential fatty acid deficiency had several significant effects on PUFA metabolism in EPC cells, the fatty acid desaturation/elongation pathway was not impaired in EPC-EFAD cells and so they can desaturate 18:3n-3 to 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3, and 18:2n-6 to 20:4n-6. However, 20:4n-3 and 20:3n-6, and not 20:4n-6 and 20:5n-3, were the predominant C₂₀ PUFA produced by the elongation and desaturation of [1-¹⁴C]18:3n-3 and [1-¹⁴C]18:2n-6, respectively. Therefore, the previously reported inability of 18:3n-3 and 18:2n-6, compared to 20:5n-3 and 20:4n-6, to stimulate proliferation of the cells is apparently not due to a general deficiency in the fatty acid desaturation pathway in EPC-EFAD cells but may be related to potential differences in eicosanoid profiles in cells supplemented with C₁₈ PUFA compared to C₂₀ PUFA.     

Estimating clam yield potential in the Sacca di Goro lagoon (Italy) by using a two-part conditional model

The assessment of clam yield potential and the identification of suitable sites for clam rearing are a necessary step to improve the economic and environmental sustainability of the exploitation activities in a regulated fishery. We discuss the development, validation and application of a method for estimating the clam yield potential of a northern Adriatic lagoon (Sacca di Goro, Italy) by combining logistic and ordinary regression. Clam yield potential was derived on the basis of six environmental parameters, namely sediment type, dissolved oxygen, salinity, hydrodynamism, water depth and chlorophyll “a”. Density data were positively skewed and contained a substantial proportion of zero values due to the patchy-distribution of Tapes philippinarum. The original data set was divided in two parts: one indicating if T. philippinarum was present or not and the other indicating the abundance of the species when it was present. The presence data was modelled by using logistic regression and the abundance data was separately modelled by using ordinary regression. The two models were then combined to identify suitable sites, to compute the expected clam yield potential in the Goro lagoon and to define the role of each environmental parameter in determining clam presence and abundance. The two-part model was then validated on a further data set (R² = 0.87). Data on environmental parameters gathered in 15 sampling sites were interpolated via a nearest neighbour algorithm so as to derive maps of each environmental parameter for the whole lagoon. Finally, the two-part model was applied to derive the thematic maps of suitable sites for clam rearing and the corresponding yield potential.We claim that this reasonably rapid and cost-effective approach provides a rigorous framework for a fair partition of harvesting concessions among competitive users and for a substantial improvement of transparency in the decision-making process.     

Characterisation of the environmental impact of a turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) re-circulating production system using Life Cycle Assessment

The environmental impacts of a water re-circulating system for fish farming were studied through the case study of an inland turbot farm located in Brittany (France). Life Cycle Assessment methodology was used to evaluate the potential environmental impact through the following indicators: Eutrophication Potential, Acidification Potential, Global Warming Potential, Net Primary Production Use and Non Renewable Energy Use. Two methods were used to assess the farm's nitrogen, phosphorus and solids emissions: nutrient measurement accounting and nutrient balance modelling. The two methods gave similar results for solids and phosphorus emissions, while for nitrogen the measurement-based approach resulted in half the emissions predicted by the model. The uncertainty regarding the potential gaseous nitrogen emissions led us to assess impacts according to three scenarios, differing with respect to emissions of N₂, N₂O and NH₃. This approach illustrates that the uncertainty concerning nitrogenous emissions to the atmosphere leads to uncertainty with respect to the production system's Eutrophication Potential and its Global Warming Potential. The comparison of our results with similar results for large rainbow trout production in a flow-through system points out the impacts associated with the high level of energy consumption in the studied re-circulating system (i.e. Non Renewable Energy Use, Global Warming potential, Acidification Potential). The nitrogenous gas emissions of re-circulating systems require further studies, in order to precisely identify the substances involved and the technological solutions allowing reduced impacts.     

Simulation of optimal harvesting strategies for small-scale mixed-sex tilapia (Oreochromis shiranus Boulenger 1896) ponds using a bio-economic model

A cohort‐based bio‐economic biomass growth and economic model, validated with data from experiments conducted in Malawi, was used to identify an optimal harvesting strategy for mixed‐sex tilapia ponds. Three harvesting scenarios (baseline, economic optimum time +10 days and economic optimum time) were used. In each harvesting scenario four options were explored: (i) no further harvest, harvest every (ii) 60 days, (iii) 90 days and (iv) 120 days after initial harvest. The lowest simulated yield (487 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) was obtained when no partial harvesting was carried out and fish were harvested after 365 days. Maximum yield (4416 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) was obtained when partial harvests were carried out every 90 days starting with a first harvest of fish weighing 60 g or more at day 90. Maximum financial returns (US$2561 ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) were obtained when partial harvests were carried out every 120 days starting with the first harvest at day 90 and removing all fish ≥60 g. The model simulations indicate that mixed‐sex tilapia culture may be profitable for tilapia farmers in Africa where markets accept small (60–150 g)‐sized fish. The study further shows that a cohort‐based population growth model can be reliably incorporated in tilapia production models to simulate fish yields in mixed‐sex tilapia production systems. However, incorporation of intergenerational competition effects could improve the model's utility as a decision support tool for managing mixed‐sex tilapia production.     

西南大西洋阿根廷滑柔鱼雄性个体的有效繁殖力特性研究

为深入认知阿根廷滑柔鱼 (Illex argentinus) 的繁殖力特性,选取2021年西南大西洋海域的阿根廷滑柔鱼雌性成熟个体样本,利用混合效应模型分析阿根廷滑柔鱼繁殖力特性与栖息海域环境因子之间的关系。结果显示：阿根廷滑柔鱼雌性成熟个体的平均有效繁殖力为 (67 061.72±24 147.00) 粒卵母细胞,成熟卵子最大卵径为1.89 mm、最大能量密度为26.21 kJ·g⁻¹;在不同采样月份,阿根廷滑柔鱼雌性成熟个体的有效繁殖力无显著性差异,而成熟卵子大小及卵子能量密度存在显著的月间差异性;叶绿素a质量浓度是影响有效繁殖力大小的主要环境因子,在质量浓度0.40~0.45 mg·m⁻³时有效繁殖力达到较大值;海表温度、叶绿素a质量浓度和海平面高度3个环境因子均对输卵管卵子大小、卵子能量密度产生显著性影响。研究表明,栖息海域环境因子对阿根廷滑柔鱼个体的繁殖力、卵子大小及卵子能量密度等繁殖力特性具有显著的效应关系,雌性个体的生殖投入分配是对栖息海域环境选择适应的过程。

     

Economic analysis of monosex culture of giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii De Man): a case study

All‐male monosex culture of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man) has emerged as a popular practice in India, especially in the state of Andhra Pradesh. A study was conducted to compare the economics of all‐male, mixed and all‐female culture in 15 adjacent, rectangular ponds of 4000 m² each by stocking juveniles previously reared in a nursery for 60 days. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design with three treatments; T₁ (all male), T₂ (mixed) and T₃ (all female), and five replicates for a period of 5 months after the nursery phase. Statistical analysis showed highly significant (P<0.01) differences among the three types of culture. The cost of production was estimated and the economic feasibility of the culture methods was evaluated by cost‐return and partial budgeting analysis. The average weight, productivity and specific growth rate were the highest for all male culture, being 80.92±2.41 g, 1532 kg ha^?1 and 1.97±0.02 respectively. All‐female culture registered significantly higher survival (89.16±0.77%) and the best apparent feed conversion ratio of 1.26±0.02. The economic analysis revealed that all‐male monosex culture of M. rosenbergii was 63.13% and 60.20% more profitable than mixed and all‐female cultures respectively.     

Understanding what controls the spawning distribution of North Sea whiting (Merlangius merlangus) using a multi‐model approach

The processes that control the spatial distribution of North Sea whiting (Merlangius merlangus) spawning adults are investigated using a statistical multi‐model approach. Models of external and internal controls on the population, such as environmental conditions, spatial constraints, present or past spatial distribution, and demographic state of the population, are evaluated, compared and ranked to select those that are the best able to predict the observed distribution of spawning adults. Model selection is greatly influenced by the selection method, either based on data fitting or prediction, as well as by the threshold value used to stop the selection. Model selection based on prediction tends to select simpler models than selection based on data fitting. The hypotheses underlying the selected models are inferred to play a significant role in controlling North Sea whiting spatial distribution. The multi‐model inference approach developed in this study enables comparison of several theoretical concepts and hypotheses and the results provide important clues on the processes involved in the control of the spatial distribution of whiting. We conclude that whiting has a high spatial fidelity to spawning site which can be linked to either geographical attachment or year‐to‐year persistence of the spatial distribution of the population. Environmental factors – temperature and salinity – appear to influence the geographical extent of spawning whiting distribution, whereas local abundance levels are primarily controlled by internal factors, i.e., population size and spatial segregation between ages.