The influence of maternal effects in larval survival on fishery harvest reference points for two life-history patterns

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• Main Authors: Spencer, Paul D., Kraak, Sarah B.M., Trippel, Edward A.
• Other Authors: Marshall, C. Tara
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 2014
• Subjects: Aquatic Science; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Pacific; atlantic cod; Gadus morhua
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2013-0253; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/full-xml/10.1139/cjfas-2013-0253; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/cjfas-2013-0253

Increased larval viability with increased spawner age (i.e., maternal effects) have been observed in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and Pacific rockfish (Sebastes spp.) stocks. Analytical results from a Beverton–Holt recruitment model indicate density-independent maternal effects affected the relative stock productivity and fishing rate reference points. We simulated populations based on Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) and Pacific ocean perch (Sebastes alutus) to explore how estimates of reference points F msy and F crash are affected by maternal effects and potential interactions with life-history pattern, recruitment autocorrelation, and exploitation rate. Estimates of F msy and F crash were made from populations with maternal effects using either total larvae (proportional to eggs) or viable larvae (incorporating the maternal effect). Maternal effects have the largest impact upon estimated population productivity at high fishing rates. Estimates of F msy and F crash for cod were also affected by autocorrelated recruitment variability because of their reduced longevity compared with Pacific ocean perch. These results suggest the importance of evaluating the influence of maternal effects on estimated stock productivity on a case-by-case basis, particularly for depleted stocks composed of relatively young spawners.