Identifying blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) stock structure in the Northeast Atlantic by otolith shape analysis

Information on stock identification and spatial stock structure provide a basis for understanding fish population dynamics and improving fisheries management. In this study, otolith shape analysis was used to study the stock structure of blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) in the northeast Atlan...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
Main Authors: Mahe, Kélig, Oudard, Clémence, Mille, Tiphaine, Keating, James, Gonçalves, Patricia, Worsøe Clausen, Lotte, Petursdottir, Gróa, Rasmussen, Helle, Meland, Elna, Mullins, Eugene, Pinnegar, John K., Hoines, Åge, Trenkel, Verena M.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2016
Subjects:
Northeast Atlantic
Online Access:https://orbit.dtu.dk/en/publications/26eeff46-56f8-4e35-97d3-0e3abe5f238b
https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2015-0332
Description
Summary:Information on stock identification and spatial stock structure provide a basis for understanding fish population dynamics and improving fisheries management. In this study, otolith shape analysis was used to study the stock structure of blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) in the northeast Atlantic using 1693 samples from mature fish collected between 37°N and 75°N and 20°W and 25°E. The results indicated two stocks located north and south of ICES Divisions VIa and VIb (54°5N to 60°5N, 4°W to 11°W). The central area corresponds to the spawning area west of Scotland. Sampling year effects and misclassification in the linear discriminant analysis suggested exchanges between the northern and southern stocks. The results corroborate previous studies indicating a structuring of the blue whiting stock into two stocks, with some degree of mixing in the central overlap area

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