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Investigating the recent decline in gadoid stocks in the west of Scotland shelf ecosystem using a foodweb model
Citation
Alexander, KA and Heymans, JJ and Magill, S and Tomczak, MT and Holmes, SJ and Wilding, TA, Investigating the recent decline in gadoid stocks in the west of Scotland shelf ecosystem using a foodweb model, ICES Journal of Marine Science, 72, (2) pp. 436-449. ISSN 1054-3139 (2015) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2014 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
DOI: doi:10.1093/icesjms/fsu149
Abstract
Abundance and biomass of cod, haddock, and whiting in the waters off of the west coast of Scotland (wcoS) have undergone large changes in recent
years, most notably a recent decline. These three species contribute a considerable part of Scottish demersal landings from this area and as such it is
important to understand why these stocks are behaving the way they are. A number of explanations for the decline have been proposed, including:
seal predation, pressure from Nephrops trawls, and fishing pressure more generally. We used an ecosystem model of the wcoS continental shelf
(,200 m depth) to investigate whether these proposed explanations for declining gadoid stocks are feasible. Results suggest that the rise in
the grey seal population over recent years has not led to the decline in gadoid stocks; there is insufficient bycatch by the Nephrops fleet to
have a large impact on gadoid stocks; however, fishing, as a key driver of the west of Scotland shelf ecosystem, has impacted stocks and by decreasing
fishing levels to maximum sustainable yield cod biomass may increase slightly though not returning to previous levels. Although this means we are
little further forward in understanding the cause of recent gadoid declines in the area, the development of this model has enabled us to further our
knowledge and understanding of aspects of trophic structure and the impacts of fishing on the wcoS.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | cod, haddock, seals, whiting, ecopath with ecosim, shelf ecosystem model |
Research Division: | Biological Sciences |
Research Group: | Ecology |
Research Field: | Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology) |
Objective Division: | Animal Production and Animal Primary Products |
Objective Group: | Fisheries - wild caught |
Objective Field: | Wild caught fin fish (excl. tuna) |
UTAS Author: | Alexander, KA (Dr Karen Alexander) |
ID Code: | 107753 |
Year Published: | 2015 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 32 |
Deposited By: | IMAS Research and Education Centre |
Deposited On: | 2016-03-23 |
Last Modified: | 2017-11-02 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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