Investigation of causes affecting distribution and density of cod and plaice in Danish coastal areas (Kystfisk 3) (39413)

Danish coastal fishermen have for several years wondered at the apparent drastic decrease in coastal fish abundance and have raised the question of the reason for these changes.

The objective of Kystfisk 3 is to investigate the causes of the decline in coastal cod and plaice by providing:

-A thorough analysis of the stock structure of plaice and cod.
-A description of the spatial distribution of plaice and cod.
-A description of the historical development in spatial distribution.
-A model of the distribution and density of cod and plaice stocks in relation to environmental conditions.

Kystfisk3 is a continuation of the work conducted in Kystfisk 1 and Kystfisk 2. In Kystfisk 1 and Kystfisk 2, interviews with fishermen were conducted and the issues reported confirmed by analysis of survey trawl data. In Kystfisk 3 a combinaton of spatial models and genetic analyses are used to determine the contribution of migration, environment and decreased stock abundance. The project analyses are based on existing data, including otoliths collected in the 1990’s. Data are compared to current daya collected from specific areas in Kattegat, Skagerrak and the North Sea.

Partners
National Institute of Aquatic Resources, DTU Aqua (coordinator)
Danish Fishermen Producer Organization, Denmark
Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Funding
The project is funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) and the Danish Fisheries Agency.

Research area: Ecosystem based Marine Management
Research area: Observation Technology
Research area: Oceanography