Use of DNA-based methods for monitoring mixed populations of Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua in the North Atlantic (39814)

For many species of commercial fish, there are various biological stocks that mix in time and space outside the spawning season. This mix represents a potential management problem, as fishing on such mixed stocks can lead to overexploitation of small and weak sub-stocks and stocks under reconstruction. High-resolution genetic methods have proven to be an effective and accurate tool for understanding the biology of different populations and estimating the contribution of the various stock components in mixed fisheries. Most studies where genetic methods have been used focus on the technical development of tools and less on the biological results and their implementation in management.

This project aims to use newly developed genetic tools for a commercially important species, the Atlantic cod, to describe stock components in mixed stocks of juveniles and adults in North Atlantic waters, as well as for historical samples. Including 1) to optimize the methods in relation to precision, cost-effectiveness and real-time analyzes. 2) To describe the distribution and behavior of population components in time and space, with high spatial and temporal resolution for both juveniles and adults. 3) To develop and implement a pipeline for the application of the results in advice and management, to ensure productive and sustainable fishing of this ecologically and economically important species in North Atlantic waters.

Partners
DTU Aqua, National Institute of Aquatic Resources (coordinator)
Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Greenland
University of Iceland, Iceland

Funding
The project is funded by Greenland Institute of Natural Resources and Icelandic Research Council. 

Research area: Population Genetics