Production of Larval Herring, Clupea harengus, Along the Maine Coast, 1964-78

J. J. Graham

Maine Department of Marine Resources, Fishery Research Laboratory
West Boothbay Harbor, Maine, USA 04575

Source - Journal of Northwest Atlantic Fishery Science, Volume 3(1): 63-85
ISSN-0250-7408

 

Graham, J.J. 1982. Production of Larval Herring, Clupea harengus, Along the Maine Coast, 1964-78. J. Northw. Atl. Fish. Sci. 3(1): 63-85. https://doi.org/10.2960/J.v3.a6

 

Abstract

The production of larval herring during 1964-78 is examined in relation to recruitment to the Maine fishery for juveniles. Larval abundance at the beginning of winter, winter larval mortality, larval condition, and spring larval abundance were considered to be the kinds of indices suitable for predicting year-class strength of juvenile herring. Long-term relationships between these indices of larval production and recruitment could not be established because of changes in spawning behavior and a decrease in the coastal herring population during the investigation. Aconceptual model of larval herring was developed to illustrate events that contributed to the final strength of larval year-classes just before their metamorphosis into juveniles in late spring. The model was based on the assumptions that the determinant of year-class strength is the level of larval abundance following a density-dependent phase of mortality in autumn and a density-independent phase in winter, and that this level of abundance may be modified by late spawning and the nature of the distribution of larvae along the coast after hatching in the autumn. In addition to providing a rationale for forecasting, the model suggests that the recruitment mechanism primarily responsible for the success of year-classes is the opportunity for larvae to distribute themselves throughout the inshore areas after hatching in coastal waters.

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Language - English
Publisher - Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO), Dartmouth, N.S., Canada
Publication Date - May 1982
Publication Type - Journal Article
Descriptors - Atlantic herring, larvae, recruitment, USA area

Citation: Graham, J.J. 1982. Production of Larval Herring, Clupea harengus, Along the Maine Coast, 1964-78. J. Northw. Atl. Fish. Sci. 3(1): 63-85. https://doi.org/10.2960/J.v3.a6