Substock variation in reproductive traits in North Sea cod (Gadus morhua)

2010 ◽  
Vol 67 (5) ◽  
pp. 866-876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Harrald ◽  
Peter J. Wright ◽  
Francis C. Neat
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Variation ◽  
North Sea ◽  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Atlantic Cod ◽  
Liver Weight ◽  
Adaptive Divergence ◽  
Female Size ◽  
Common Environment ◽  
Relative Liver Weight ◽  
Trade Offs

The North Sea stock of Atlantic cod ( Gadus morhua ) is comprised of a number of subcomponents that differ both genetically and phenotypically. A potential cause for such spatial variability is adaptive divergence, which may be linked to differences in thermal environment and (or) historical fishing pressure. Here we present evidence that spatial variation in maturity–size relationships in the wild has a significant intrinsic component. Using a common-environment experiment on wild-caught juveniles raised through to maturity, we demonstrate that cod from the southern North Sea (SNS) mature at larger sizes than those from the northwestern North Sea (NWNS) despite broadly similar growth rates. Consistent with these experimental results, year-class-specific maturity ogives for recent maturing year classes (1999–2001) suggested that the length at which 50% of females reached maturity was 11 cm greater for SNS than for NWNS cod. Under a common environment, smaller female size at maturity partly reflected higher relative liver weight, with NWNS females having a higher relative liver weight than SNS females. By investigating maturation under controlled conditions, our study provides evidence for life history trade-offs in energy allocation between growth, energy storage, and reproduction that may underlie the spatial variation observed in the field.

An "experiment" on effort allocation of fishing vessels: the role of interference competition and area specialization

2007 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 304-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan-Jaap Poos ◽  
Adriaan D Rijnsdorp
Keyword(s):  
North Sea ◽  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Atlantic Cod ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Interference Competition ◽  
Catch Rate ◽  
The North ◽  
Closed Area ◽  
Fishing Vessels ◽  
The North Sea

A temporarily closed area established to protect spawning Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in the North Sea allowed us to study the response of the Dutch beam trawl fleet exploiting common sole (Solea solea) and plaice (Pleuronectes platessa). A number of vessels left the North Sea 1 month earlier than the normal seasonal pattern. The vessels that continued fishing in the North Sea were concentrated in the remaining open areas. In the first week after the closure, the catch rate decreased by 14%, coinciding with an increase in crowding of 28%. Area specialisation affected the response of individual vessels because vessels without prior experience in the open areas showed a larger decline in catch rate compared with vessels that previously fished in these open areas and were more likely to stop fishing during the closed period. The decrease in catch rate in response to the increase in competitor density allowed us to estimate the strength of the interference competition.

scholarly journals The relation between concentrations of ovarian trace elements and the body size of Atlantic cod Gadus morhua

2008 ◽  
Vol 65 (7) ◽  
pp. 1191-1197 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Bang ◽  
P. Grønkjær ◽  
B. Lorenzen
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Atlantic Cod ◽  
The Body ◽  
Small Fish ◽  
Female Size ◽  
Large Fish ◽  
Size Category ◽  
Linear Discriminant

Abstract Bang, A., Grønkjær, P., and Lorenzen, B. 2008. The relation between concentrations of ovarian trace elements and the body size of Atlantic cod Gadus morhua. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1191–1197. Trace metals in the ovaries of fish are transferred from the female via the yolk to the offspring, which makes the early life stages susceptible to deleterious effects of potentially toxic elements contained in the ovaries. Here, the concentrations of 13 elements from the ovaries of 133 ripe female North Sea cod Gadus morhua weighing 0.2–18 kg were correlated with female size, accounting for differences in maturity and condition. Most elements were negatively correlated with the size variables weight, length and, especially, ovarian dry weight. Further, they were negatively correlated with maturity and condition. Many of the trace elements showed true size-dependence, but the correlations were generally weak. A linear discriminant analysis separated “small” and “large” fish at a length of 85 cm based on concentrations of Co, Mn, Se, and Zn, and correctly assigned 78 of 102 small fish and 23 of 31 large fish to their respective size category. This corresponds to an overall classification success of 75.9%. The results suggest that embryos and early larvae from small females are exposed to higher levels of potentially harmful metals. If the differences in trace element concentration influence survival success, this will add to the negative effects of size distribution truncation and declines in size-at-maturity experienced by many populations of cod.

scholarly journals Local cod (Gadus morhua) revealed by egg surveys and population genetic analysis after longstanding depletion on the Swedish Skagerrak coast

2018 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 418-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrik Svedäng ◽  
Julia M I Barth ◽  
Anders Svenson ◽  
Patrik Jonsson ◽  
Sissel Jentoft ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Sea ◽  
West Coast ◽  
Population Genetic ◽  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Atlantic Cod ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Population Genetic Analysis ◽  
Swedish West Coast ◽  
The North ◽  
Spawning Areas

Abstract Dramatic and persistent reductions in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) are common in many coastal areas. While offshore cod stocks still were abundant and productive, the Swedish west coast showed signs of diminishing adult cod abundance at the beginning of the 1980s, where the local cod component was considered to be extirpated. To survey the present cod spawning activity and stock composition, we initiated egg trawling over two consecutive years (203 hauls in total) in combination with population genetic analyses (425 individually genotyped eggs). Here, we provide evidence of cod spawning at the Swedish Skagerrak coast, suggesting recolonization or that local cod has recovered from a nearly depleted state. Early stage eggs were found inside fjords too far to have been transported by oceanic drift from offshore spawning areas. The cod eggs were genetically similar in early to late life-stages and cluster mainly with the local adult cod, indicating that eggs and adults belong to the same genetic unit. The cod eggs were genetically differentiated from adult North Sea cod, and, to a lesser degree, also from the Kattegat and Öresund cod, i.e. indicating a possible recovery of local coastal stock. The patterns of the genetic structure in the inshore areas are, however, difficult to fully disentangle, as Atlantic cod in the North Sea-Skagerrak area seem to be a mixture of co-existing forms: local cod completing their entire life cycle in fjords and sheltered areas, and oceanic populations showing homing behaviours. The egg abundances are considerably lower compared with what is found in similar studies along the Norwegian Skagerrak coast. Nevertheless, the discovery of locally spawning cod along the Swedish west coast—although at low biomasses—is an encouraging finding that highlights the needs for endurance in protective measures and of detailed surveys to secure intraspecific biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Movements and distribution of cod (Gadus morhua) in the southern North Sea and English Channel: results from conventional and electronic tagging experiments

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (2) ◽  
pp. 599-613 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Righton ◽  
Victoria Anne Quayle ◽  
Stuart Hetherington ◽  
Gary Burt
Keyword(s):  
North Sea ◽  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Atlantic Cod ◽  
English Channel ◽  
Seasonal Movement ◽  
Southern North Sea ◽  
The North ◽  
Fisheries Policy ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Electronic Tags

The sub-structure of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) stocks in the North Sea has important consequences for fisheries management as the Common Fisheries Policy moves towards a more regional approach. We investigated the movements, distribution and behaviour of cod in the southern North Sea (ICES IVc) and English Channel (ICES VIId) by re-analysing historic data from conventional tagging experiments, and by conducting new experiments with electronic tags. Cod tagged and released in IVc showed a northwards shift in distribution during the feeding season consistent with a homing migration away from spawning grounds along the coasts of the UK and the Netherlands. In contrast, cod tagged and released in VIId did not exhibit a consistent pattern of seasonal movement. Many cod released in VIId were subsequently recaptured close to their release position, although some moved out of the Channel and into the southern North Sea. Overlap between the recapture areas of cod released in the different management areas was no more than 25% in either the spawning or feeding season. Behavioural data from electronic tags suggest that cod in IVc make use of tidal streams to migrate northwards and eastwards in spring, whereas selective tidal stream transport was rarely exhibited by cod tagged and released in VIId. Overall, the evidence suggests that there are behavioural differences between cod in IVc and VIId that limit the mixing of cod from these two areas during the feeding and spawning seasons.

scholarly journals First record of brown colouration of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua, L.) from the North Sea

Oceanologia ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 159-163
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Rybczyk ◽  
Przemysław Czerniejewski ◽  
Joanna Rokicka-Praxmajer
Keyword(s):  
North Sea ◽  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Atlantic Cod ◽  
First Record ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Sea

scholarly journals Vertical migration in adult Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)

2007 ◽  
Vol 64 (12) ◽  
pp. 1747-1760 ◽  
Author(s):  
Espen Strand ◽  
Geir Huse
Keyword(s):  
Vertical Migration ◽  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Atlantic Cod ◽  
Pelagic Zone ◽  
Neutral Buoyancy ◽  
Visual Predation ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Pelagic Prey ◽  
Benthic Prey

We investigate the trade-offs associated with vertical migration and swimming speed of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) using an adaptive individual-based model. Simulations with varying distribution and occurrence of prey, with and without swimbladder constraints, and visual predation were performed. Most simulations resulted in cod migrations between the bottom and pelagic zones. In simulations with high probability of encountering pelagic prey, the cod spent the daytime in the pelagic zone, moving to the bottom to feed only when no pelagic prey were encountered. At night the cod stayed in the pelagic zone to attain neutral buoyancy. In simulations with low occurrence of pelagic prey or high visual predation pressure, the cod remained at the bottom feeding on the consistently present benthic prey. If the pelagic prey occurred far above the sea floor or there were no benthic prey, the cod abandoned all bottom contact. The study thus predicts that the probability of encountering energy-rich pelagic prey is the key factor in driving vertical migration in adult cod. Buoyancy regulation is further shown to be an important constraint on vertical migration.

scholarly journals Trade-offs between growth and reproduction in wild Atlantic cod

2014 ◽  
Vol 71 (7) ◽  
pp. 1106-1112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arild Folkvord ◽  
Christian Jørgensen ◽  
Knut Korsbrekke ◽  
Richard D.M. Nash ◽  
Trygve Nilsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Atlantic Cod ◽  
Life History Strategy ◽  
Skipped Spawning ◽  
Growth Increments ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Survival And Reproduction ◽  
Size At Age ◽  
Allocation Strategies ◽  
Growth And Reproduction

Animals partition and trade off their resources between competing needs such as growth, maintenance, and reproduction. Over a lifetime, allocation strategies should result in distinct trajectories for growth, survival, and reproduction, but such longitudinal individual data are difficult to reconstruct for wild animals and especially marine fish. We were able to reconstruct two of these trajectories in wild-caught Northeast Arctic cod (Gadus morhua) females: size-at-age was back-calculated from otolith growth increments, and recent spawning history was reconstructed from postovulatory follicles and present oocyte development. Our findings indicate distinct trade-offs between length growth and reproduction. Fish that sexually matured early had attained a larger size at age 3 than immatures, but onset of reproduction caused slower growth compared with immatures. We found that 6- and 7-year-old females skipping spawning grew significantly more in the year of missed spawning than females spawning for the second consecutive year. The latter tentatively supports the hypothesis that skipped spawning may occur as an adaptive life-history strategy, given the potential future fecundity gain with increased size.

scholarly journals Shifts in spawning phenology of cod linked to rising sea temperatures

2017 ◽  
Vol 74 (6) ◽  
pp. 1561-1573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate McQueen ◽  
C. Tara Marshall
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
North Sea ◽  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Atlantic Cod ◽  
Size Structure ◽  
Gonadal Development ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Irish Sea ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Sea

AbstractWarming temperatures caused by climate change have the potential to impact spawning phenology of temperate marine fish as some species have temperature-dependent gonadal development. Inter-annual variation in the timing of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) spawning in the northern North Sea, central North Sea and Irish Sea was estimated by calculating an annual peak roe month (PRM) from records of roe landings spanning the last three decades. A trend towards earlier PRM was found in all three regions, with estimates of shifts in PRM ranging from 0.9 to 2.4 weeks per decade. Temperatures experienced by cod during early vitellogenesis correlated negatively with PRM, suggesting that rising sea temperatures have contributed to a shift in spawning phenology. A concurrent reduction in the mean size of spawning females excluded the possibility that earlier spawning was due to a shift in size structure towards larger individuals, as large cod spawn earlier than smaller-sized individuals in the North Sea. Further research into the effects of climate change on the phenology of different trophic levels within the North Sea ecosystem should be undertaken to determine whether climate change-induced shifts in spawning phenology will result in a temporal mismatch between cod larvae and their planktonic prey.

Annual and spatial variability in endo- and ectoparasite infections of North Sea cod (Gadus morhua Linnaeus, 1758) larvae, post-larvae and juveniles

2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Foojan Mehrdana ◽  
Qusay Bahlool ◽  
Alf Skovgaard ◽  
Jesper Kuhn ◽  
Per Kania ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Variability ◽  
North Sea ◽  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Atlantic Cod ◽  
The North ◽  
Infection Pressure ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Atlantic Cod Larvae ◽  
The North Sea

AbstractA parasitological investigation was performed on a total of 5380 Atlantic cod larvae, post-larvae and small juveniles sampled from the North Sea during a period of five years. The copepod Caligus elongatus (Von Nordmann, 1832) and the nematode Hysterothylacium aduncum (Rudolphi, 1802) were found at a relatively high prevalence of infection (4.6% and 5.2%, respectively). The infection by both parasites showed annual and spatial variability. C. elongatus showed a higher prevalence in 1992 compared to the following years, whereas the prevalence of H. aduncum increased from 1992 to 2001.We observed a relation between parasite distribution and parameters such as latitude and water depth. Adult digeneans (Lecithaster gibbosus and Derogenes varicus) and larval cestodes were also found with lower infection rates. Since changes of infection levels coincided with increasing North Sea water temperature in the studied period, it is hypothesized that temperature may affect parasite population levels. However, it is likely that other environmental factors may contribute to the observed variations. Absence of infection intensities higher than one nematode per fish in small larvae and post-larvae suggests that host survival may be affected by a high infection pressure. The relatively high levels of infection in the younger stages of cod, and the annual/spatial variability of these infections should be considered in the understanding of the early life dynamics of the species.

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