Population structure of the European conger Conger conger from the mid‐North Atlantic Ocean inferred from bathymetric distribution, length composition and movement patterns analyses
Abstract Information about the population structure of Conger conger (L.) is scarce, being a limiting factor for fisheries assessment. To make available important baseline information and to test the hypothesis that the population in the mid‐North Atlantic (Azores region) represents a fishery manage...
| Published in: | Fisheries Management and Ecology |
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2021
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/fme.12485 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/fme.12485 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full-xml/10.1111/fme.12485 |
| Summary: | Abstract Information about the population structure of Conger conger (L.) is scarce, being a limiting factor for fisheries assessment. To make available important baseline information and to test the hypothesis that the population in the mid‐North Atlantic (Azores region) represents a fishery management unit, fishery‐dependent and survey data relating to bathymetric distribution, length composition and movement patterns were examined. Fishing impacts were also evaluated using abundance and size trends over the last 25 years. The greatest abundance was in depths between 300 and 600 m. Sizes ranged from 14 to 260 cm, with larger individuals around seamounts. Tagging data showed a strong sedentary behaviour. Results combined with previous genetic and otolith studies indicated the stock in the Azores may represent a self‐contained population. Abundance and size trends were stable, but the species is considered vulnerable to overfishing due to its biological characteristics. Monitoring and adequate rational resource management are of utmost importance. |
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