Spatial Segregation within the Spawning Migration of North Eastern Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scombrus) as Indicated by Juvenile Growth Patterns

A comparison of growth data (fish length) with latitude shows that southern juvenile mackerel attain a greater length than those originating from further north before growth ceases during their first winter. A similar significant relationship was found between the growth in the first year (derived from the otolith inner winter ring) and latitude for adult mackerel spawning between 44uN (Bay of Biscay) and 54uN (west of Ireland). These observations are consistent with spatial segregation of the spawning migration; the further north that the fish were hatched, the further north they will tend to spawn. No such relationship was found in mackerel spawning at more northerly latitudes, possibly as a consequence of increased spatial mixing in a more energetic regime with stronger currents. This study provides previously lacking support for spawning segregation behaviour among North East Atlantic mackerel – an important step towards understanding the migratory behaviour of mackerel and hence the spatiotemporal distribution dynamics around spawning time.

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10793/1091

Description

Peer Reviewed

Citation

Jansen T, Campbell A, Brunel T, Worsøe Clausen L (2013) Spatial Segregation within the Spawning Migration of North Eastern Atlantic Mackerel(Scomber scombrus) as Indicated by Juvenile Growth Patterns. PLoS ONE 8(2): e58114. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0058114