Project: Understanding recruitment processes using coupled biophysical models of the pelagic ecosystem.

Understanding recruitment processes is crucial to improving our knowledge and management of fish stocks, and yet is one of the most challenging in fisheries science. We know that both internal stock dynamics (biomass, age structure, distribution, etc.) and external variables (interactions with other species, fishing pressure and the environment) affect next year’s recruitment. We also know some of the mechanisms that control recruitment, such as reproductive potential, predation, starvation, physical transport to unsuitable areas, etc. But so far we have failed to quantify the effect of these processes in nature and to obtain indicators of recruitment strength. This project aims to develop life cycle models for two specific case studies: sardine and anchovy in the Bay of Biscay; and anchovy in the Aegean Sea. Developing indicators of recruitment will be particularly crucial to the management of these short-lived species. The models will be used to understand the main mechanisms and drivers of the recruitment process and help predict the abundance of new individuals entering the stock. Indices for recruitment strengths will be produced to assist short, medium and long-term management plans.

Acronym REPROdUCE
Network MariFish
Call First MariFish Joint Call

Project partner

Number Name Role Country
AZTI-Tecnalia Spain
French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea France
Hellenic Centre for Marine Research Greece
National Institute of Fisheries Research Portugal
Spanish Oceanographic Institute Coordinator Spain