Changes in the spatial distribution of North Sea plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) and implications for fisheries management

To protect the main nursery area of plaice, an area called the ‘Plaice Box’ was closed to trawl fisheries with large vessels in 1989, with the expectation that recruitment, yield and spawning stock biomass would increase. However, since then the plaice population has declined and the rate of discarding outside the Plaice Box has increased, suggesting an offshore shift in spatial distribution of juvenile plaice. Using research vessel survey data collected since 1970, the change in distribution of juvenile age groups was analysed in relation to the distance to the coast. Further, a comparison of the distribution of different length classes of plaice between three historic periods was made (1902–1909; 1983–1987; 1999–2003). A shift towards deeper water of larger-sized plaice (20–39 cm) is apparent already before the 1980s and may be related to the decrease in the number of competitors or predators. An offshore shift in the distribution of young plaice occurred in the 1990s most likely in response to higher water temperatures that may have exceeded the maximum tolerance range or increased the food requirements above the available food resources. A decrease in competition with larger plaice offshore, possibly in combination with increased inshore predation by cormorants and seals, may also have played a role. The offshore shift in distribution has reduced the effectiveness of the Plaice Box as a technical measure to protect the under-sized plaice from discarding, since an increased proportion of the population of undersized plaice is moving to the more heavily exploited offshore areas.     

基于耳石微结构的黄、渤海蓝点马鲛幼鱼日龄与生长

鱼类的生长是影响群体资源量的要素,研究鱼类的生长规律是开展资源评估工作的基础。本研究依据2016年9–1 0月和2017年8–1 0月在黄渤海采集的当年生蓝点马鲛(Scomberomorus niphonius)幼鱼,通过耳石微结构分析,确定了蓝点马鲛孵化期,建立了生长模型并估算了生长率。结果显示,幼鱼日龄范围为64～151 d,孵化日期为5月3日至6月15日,高峰期集中在5月20日至6月3日。叉长和体质量的生长符合Logistic生长模型。叉长平均绝对生长率和特定生长率分别为2.45 mm/d和0.85%/d,生长率随着日龄增大而小幅度减小。体质量平均绝对生长率和特定生长率分别为5.33 g/d和2.68%/d,最大绝对生长率和最大特定生长率分别出现在111～120 d和91～100 d。本研究表明,蓝点马鲛幼鱼生长随日龄发生变化,早期生长较以往进一步加快。     

Changes in potential North Sea spawning grounds of plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) based on early life stage connectivity to nursery habitats

We explored the hypothesis that spawning ground locations of North Sea plaice reflect the locations of nursery grounds using drift scenarios based on a baroclinic, shallow-water circulation model (HAMSOM). The transport of pelagic eggs and larvae was simulated each year from 1975 to 2006 using in situ forcing, temperature-dependent development and stage-specific behaviour of eggs and larvae. This long-term simulation period also allowed us to explore climate effects. A release position was considered a potential and suitable spawning site if larvae from that area reached coastal nurseries after the onset of metamorphosis. In general, larvae were transported in an anti-clockwise direction and settled in nurseries that were relatively close to the release positions. Spawning locations that were offshore were poorly connected to nursery grounds while those closer to the shore had higher connectivity. Simulated suitable spawning locations broadly agreed with the main centres of egg production (English Channel, Southern Bight, German Bight), except for the known spawning grounds south of Dogger Bank. Over the 31-year simulation period, positive and negative trends in transport success were found for the western and eastern parts of the North Sea, respectively. Changes in the west (Flamborough Head) were mainly due to changes in water circulation patterns whereas those in the east (northern German Bight) were induced by changes in both currents and water temperature. The implications of these findings, and the significant correlation between changes in drift and recruitment, suggest that climate-driven changes in the suitability of nursery grounds will directly affect the distribution and productivity of plaice in the North Sea.