Spatial stock structure for North Sea sandeel (113656)

The project focuses on advancing methods to tag, monitor, and analyze the recapture of sandeel in the North Sea. This includes techniques such as PIT tagging and other methods that track the movements and migrations of sandeel.

The project will gather and analyze recapture data to better understand sandeel migrations across various geographical scales, offering valuable insights into their behavior and habitats. The goal is to test current hypotheses on sandeel migration patterns. Findings from these studies will either validate or challenge these hypotheses, thereby providing a more reliable foundation for effective management.

In terms of management, the project aims to support the sustainable management of sandeel stocks in the North Sea by ensuring that exploitation adheres to the principles of maximum sustainable yield (MSY). This means maintaining sandeel populations at levels that allow for long-term sustainable fishing.

A stronger geographical understanding and deeper insights into sandeel behavior are essential to prevent overfishing and ensure the sustainability of sandeel stocks in the North Sea.

Funding
The project is co-funded by the European Union through the Danish Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme (EMFAF).

Research area: Marine Living Resources
Research area: Population Genetics
Research area: Marine Populations and Ecosystem Dynamics