| Summary: | International audience Study of the processes leading to variability in the recruitment of commercial fish stocks has been the focus of fisheries oceanography research since the early 20th century. Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) has been more intensively studied than any other marine fish. Indeed, this species has supported some of the most important fisheries in both Northwest and Northeast Atlantic. To study variations in the recruitment of cod stocks, it is important to understand spatial variability in spawning habitat. In this context, the objectives of the present study are (i) to determine the environmental conditions associated with spawning, (ii) to model the distribution of eggs in time and space and (iii) to investigate the potential presence of a shift in the spawning period over time. Preliminary results suggest differences in environmental characteristics (in terms of temperature and light intensity) associated to spawning between the Northwest and Northeast Atlantic. The timing of spawning also occurs later in the Northwest Atlantic, which is likely due to the seasonal ice cover, delaying peak prey production relative to the Northeast Atlantic.
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