Match and mismatch in the ocean (38897)

Only a very small fraction of the enormous amount of eggs that a fish population spawns survives the larval stage and enters the population as young fish: the majority die as larvae. The synchronicity between the timing of the plankton blooms and the food requirements of larval fish is thought to be one of the most important factors for the survival of larvae. This “match-mismatch” hypothesis will be tested using data from fish populations across the planet and global satellite observations of plankton dynamics. The results will increase our understanding of why fish populations vary throughout time and thereby contribute to their sustainable management.

The project is coordinated by DTU Aqua.

Research area: Oceanography