behaviors, habitat preferences, and ecology of distinct Atlantic cod phenotypes in the Gulf of Maine

• Language: unknown
• Subjects: atlantic cod
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2047/D20235078

Diversity in spatial behaviors and associated divergence of phenotypes are common across fish taxa. Behavior and phenotype are shaped by geology, oceanography, climate, prey availability, predation, competition, and the cumulative effects of these factors on past generations. In stochastic natural systems, diversity may enhance stability, resilience, and even productivity of populations and population complexes. Among the behaviors of fish that vary between and within populations is migration. Migration is most often related to travel between spawning and feeding grounds and is integral to population productivity. However, members of the same species and even population may adopt vastly different migratory strategies, including long-distance migration and strict site residence. Across taxa, these strategies are often correlated with metabolism, growth, fecundity, and productivity. In the context of fisheries management, the spatial and physiological variance associated with different migratory strategies may lead to complicated or unexpected responses by managed stocks to disturbance. Understanding the processes that lead to the adoption and maintenance of migratory strategies, how these behaviors affect habitat use, and how behavior and habitat are related to phenotype, are necessary to the development of effective fisheries management policies and regulations.