BlueOcean - Blue whiting recruitment, distribution and Ocean-climate processes in the north Atlantic Ridge area

Project Details

Description

BlueOcean represents an innovative attempt to combine mechanistic knowledge of ocean-climate processes in the ridge area to the dynamics of a key species, blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassu), in the north Atlantic food web. Blue whiting recruitment and distribution vary widely but the reasons for the fluctuations are unknown, and affect assessment, fishery yields and species that interact with blue whiting as a predator (e. g., pilot whales, saithe), competitor (e. g., herring, mackerel) and prey (zooplankton). These fluctuations have further societal impacts because they create uncertainty for socio-economic planning in the fishing and fish processing industries (e. g., decisions regarding vessel deployment and staffing), and for attempts to maintain and achieve sustainability objectives.

Here we hypothesize that the fluctuations in recruitment and distribution are partly driven by the interactions of ridge topography with climate-ocean processes in the region and specific features of blue whiting early life history. For example, blue whiting recruitment requires both successful development of eggs and larvae, and transport of these offspring from spawning areas west of the British Isles to nursery areas located 100s of km away along the ridge. Climate-ocean processes affecting circulation, transport and water mass properties are likely key for high survival. We will test this hypothesis using statistical time series analyses and mechanistic modelling approaches.
The project potentially could have high scientific and societal impact in regard to development of improved understanding and models of how climate-ocean variability affects the abundance and productivity of one of the commercially and ecologically most important fish species in Faroese waters, and how this knowledge could contribute to sustainable ecosystem-based management of its fisheries and the marine ecosystem. New science-based solutions are needed to reduce risks to sustainability caused by fluctuations in productivity and to increase likelihood of achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), such as SDG 14 Life Below Water.
The project includes activities for capacity building, knowledge sharing, production of scientific excellence and enhancing the scientific standing of marine sciences in the Faroe Islands and Denmark.

Key findings

Project is in progress. (Feb. 1, 2022 - Jan. 31, 2026)

Layman's description

BlueOcean represents an innovative attempt to combine mechanistic knowledge of ocean-climate processes in the ridge area to the dynamics of a key species, blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassu), in the north Atlantic food web. Blue whiting recruitment and distribution vary widely but the reasons for the fluctuations are unknown, and affect assessment, fishery yields and species that interact with blue whiting as a predator (e. g., pilot whales, saithe), competitor (e. g., herring, mackerel) and prey (zooplankton). These fluctuations have further societal impacts because they create uncertainty for socio-economic planning in the fishing and fish processing industries (e. g., decisions regarding vessel deployment and staffing), and for attempts to maintain and achieve sustainability objectives.

Here we hypothesize that the fluctuations in recruitment and distribution are partly driven by the interactions of ridge topography with climate-ocean processes in the region and specific features of blue whiting early life history. For example, blue whiting recruitment requires both successful development of eggs and larvae, and transport of these offspring from spawning areas west of the British Isles to nursery areas located 100s of km away along the ridge. Climate-ocean processes affecting circulation, transport and water mass properties are likely key for high survival. We will test this hypothesis using statistical time series analyses and mechanistic modelling approaches.
The project potentially could have high scientific and societal impact in regard to development of improved understanding and models of how climate-ocean variability affects the abundance and productivity of one of the commercially and ecologically most important fish species in Faroese waters, and how this knowledge could contribute to sustainable ecosystem-based management of its fisheries and the marine ecosystem. New science-based solutions are needed to reduce risks to sustainability caused by fluctuations in productivity and to increase likelihood of achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), such as SDG 14 Life Below Water.
The project includes activities for capacity building, knowledge sharing, production of scientific excellence and enhancing the scientific standing of marine sciences in the Faroe Islands and Denmark.
Short titleBlueOcean
AcronymBlueOcean
StatusActive
Effective start/end date01/02/202231/01/2026

Collaborative partners

UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This project contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 14 - Life Below Water

Keywords

  • marine ecology
  • Fisheries
  • oceanography
  • climate
  • recruitment
  • productivity

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