Larval Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) growth on Georges Bank: a model with temperature, prey size, and turbulence forcing

Authored by AW Leising, PJS Franks

Date Published: 1999

DOI: 10.1139/cjfas-56-1-25

Sponsors: United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Platforms: No platforms listed

Model Documentation: Other Narrative Mathematical description

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) on Georges Bank are subjected to a high degree of variability in temperature, turbulence, and prey densities, depending on when they are spawned and where they are advected. We have developed an individual-based model that includes the effect of varying prey density, turbulence, and temperature. Temperature effects were included by using a Q(10)-type adjustment to the standard metabolic rate as well as a second temperature-dependent term added to the overall ingestion ability of our model fish, a function of the swimming speed, capture efficiency, and ``liveliness{''} of a fish. Three cases were analyzed: (i) constant food and temperature conditions, (ii) variable temperature cycles, and (iii) variable temperature cycles plus turbulence. We found that prey density, turbulence, and temperature ranges typical of the peak spawning season are variable enough to be Limiting to larval growth. The timing and location of spawning are crucial to the survival of the larvae. Increasing the average temperature cycle by 1 degrees C, as might occur due to climatological change or interannual variability, increased growth for larvae that were not growing well previously. The increased temperature failed to increase larval growth in areas where larvae were already growing at rates close to their maximum.

Tags

behavior patterns zooplankton Environments Fish Circulation Small-scale turbulence Encounter rates Maine Tidal fronts