Characterising Essential Fish Habitat using spatio‐temporal analysis of fishery data: A case study of the European seabass spawning areas

Type Article
Date 2021-07
Language English
Author(s) Dambrine ChloeORCID1, Woillez MathieuORCID1, Huret MartinORCID1, de Pontual HeleneORCID1
Affiliation(s) 1 : Ifremer, Plouzané ,France
Source Fisheries Oceanography (1054-6006) (Wiley), 2021-07 , Vol. 30 , N. 4 , P. 413-428
DOI 10.1111/fog.12527
WOS© Times Cited 17
Keyword(s) Bay of Biscay, Bayesian spatio-temporal modelling, Dicentrarchus labrax, english Channel, European sea bass, non-linear geostatistics, spawning grounds
Abstract

Fish habitats sustain essential functions for fish to complete their life cycle, such as feeding, growing and spawning. Conservation is crucial to maintain fish populations and their exploitation. Since 2013, the spawning stock biomass of the northern stock of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) has been in a worrying state. A series of low recruitments with a persistently high level of fishing has been blamed, raising concerns about the processes involved in seabass reproduction and settlement in nurseries. Here, we characterise seabass spawning areas along the French Atlantic coast using vessel monitoring system (VMS) data. A non‐linear geostatistical approach was applied, from 2008 to 2014, to detect locations where seabass aggregate for spawning. Occurrence maps of spawning distribution were combined into probability maps to quantify the seasonal and inter‐annual variability and to highlight recurrent, occasional and unfavourable spawning areas. We identified three main spawning areas: the Rochebonne Plateau in the Bay of Biscay, the Western English Channel and the North of the Cotentin peninsula in the Eastern English Channel. The correlative link between this geographical distribution and environmental factors was investigated using a Bayesian spatio‐temporal model. The spatio‐temporal structure accounted for the vast majority of the model predictive skills, whereas environmental covariates had a negligible effect. Our model revealed the persistence of the spatial distribution of spawning areas with intra‐ and inter‐annual variability. Offshore areas appear to be essential spawning areas for seabass, and should be considered in spatial management strategies.

Full Text
File Pages Size Access
Publisher's official version 16 1 MB Open access
Appendix S1 7 MB Open access
Top of the page

How to cite 

Dambrine Chloe, Woillez Mathieu, Huret Martin, de Pontual Helene (2021). Characterising Essential Fish Habitat using spatio‐temporal analysis of fishery data: A case study of the European seabass spawning areas. Fisheries Oceanography, 30(4), 413-428. Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.1111/fog.12527 , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00668/77997/