A biophysical model of S-aurita early life history in the northern Gulf CrossMark of Guinea
Authored by Christophe Lett, Vamara Kone, Pierrick Penven, Bernard Bourles, Sandrine Djakoure
Date Published: 2017
DOI: 10.1016/j.pocean.2016.10.008
Sponsors:
European Union
Platforms:
R
ROMSTOOL
Model Documentation:
Other Narrative
Mathematical description
Model Code URLs:
Model code not found
Abstract
S. aurita is the most abundant small pelagic fish in the northern Gulf
of Guinea. Its reproduction and recruitment depend crucially on
environmental conditions. We developed a biophysical model of S. aurita
early life history by coupling offline an individual-based model with
the regional oceanic modeling system (ROMS). We used this model to
investigate the main factors driving variability in eggs and larval
dispersal and survival in the northern Gulf of Guinea. Precisely, individuals were released from different spawning areas along the coast
and tracked for a period of 28 days corresponding to their planktonic
phase. Individuals that remained in the coastal recruitment areas at an
age more than 7 days, at which they can supposedly actively retain
themselves in a favorable area, were considered as recruited. Simulation
results show the importance of the spawning areas around Cape Palmas and
Cape Three Points where cyclonic eddies trap eggs and larvae along the
coast, preventing their advection offshore by the Guinea Current. The
spawning period also plays a key role in the recruitment success, with
highest coastal retention obtained during the major upwelling period
(July-September). We find that a second retention peak can occur during
the minor upwelling period (February-March) when larval mortality due to
temperature is included in the model. These results are in general
agreement with knowledge of S. aurita reproduction in the northern Gulf
of Guinea. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd.
Tags
Individual-based model
Recruitment
Climate-change
Spanish sardine
Sea-surface temperature
Southern benguela
Tropical atlantic-ocean
Sardinella-aurita
Ivory-coast
Upwelling region
Seasonal cycle
Ship drifts
Hydrodynamic model
Upwelling
S. aurita early life stage
Northern gulf of guinea