Reprint of: The ecophysiology of Sprattus sprattus in the Baltic and North Seas (original) (raw)

FISH PRODUCTION AND CLIMATE: SPRAT IN THE BALTIC SEA

Ecology, 2004

Abstract. Processes controlling,the production,of new,fish (recruitment) are poorly understood,and therefore challenge,population,ecologists and,resource,managers. Sprat in the Baltic Sea is no exception: recruitment,varies widely,between,years and,is virtually independent,of the biomass,of mature,sprat. Sprat is a key,prey and,predator,species in the Baltic ecosystem,and,is commercially,exploited,(1.86 3 10, kg/yr since 1974). The population,and,fishery,must,therefore,be managed,sustainably,and,if necessary,accom- modate,environmental,effects on population,dynamics.,We demonstrate,using 45 years of data that recruitment,depends,on temperature,conditions,during,the months,when,sprat gonads,