Spatial interactions between newly settled 0-group cod (Gadus morhua) and their principal predators in the North Sea: a) Grey gurnards (Eutrigla gurnardus) ...

• Main Authors: Bromley, Peter J, Armstrong, Mike J
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: ASC 2004 - FF - Theme session 2024
• Subjects: The sea and human culture and societies; Ecosystem observation, processes and dynamics; Pressures, impacts, conservation, and management; Gadus morhua
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.17895/ices.pub.25349290.v1; https://ices-library.figshare.com/articles/conference_contribution/Spatial_interactions_between_newly_settled_0-group_cod_Gadus_morhua_and_their_principal_predators_in_the_North_Sea_a_Grey_gurnards_Eutrigla_gurnardus_/25349290/1

No abstracts are to be cited without prior reference to the author.Over recent years there has been a sharp decline in the spawning stock biomass (SSB) and the recruitment of young cod (Gadus morhua) to the North Sea fishery. This study takes a multispecies approach to investigating the extent to which predation by gurnards is implicated in the decline of North Sea cod. Cod larvae and post-larvae are pelagic in their behaviour and the 0-groups (fish under a year old) settle to become demersal in habit in the early summer at the age of about five months. Data from the English summer groundfish survey (EGFS) since 1977 were used to chart trends in the abundance and spatial distribution of post-settlement 0-group cod and their predators- in this case grey gurnards (Eutrigla gurnardus). Grey gurnards predate heavily on post settlement 0-group cod and the abundance of grey gurnard has increased in the North Sea in recent years. ...