Publication Abstract

Recruitment level and recruitment variability in five stocks of sole, Solea solea, in the north east Atlantic

A.D. Rijnsdorp, F.A. van Beek, S. Flatman, R.M. Millner, J.D. Riley, M. Giret and R. de Clerk

The level of recruitment and its variability were analysed in sole stocks using results of virtual population analysis (VPA) of commercial landings and pre-recruit surveys. Stocks were studied in the North Sea, eastern and western English Channel, Bristol Channel and the Irish Sea. Variability of recruitment increased from 34-55% in the central areas to 97-127% in the northern ones: the Irish Sea and the North. Winter temperatures explained part of the additional variability in recruitment in the North Sea but not in the Irish Sea. In the North Sea level of recruitment appeared to be determined before the end of the first year of life, although additional mortality of older fish during cold winters may further reduce recruitment. In general there was no similarity in the pattern of recruitment variability between populations, except in adjacent populations, suggesting that the factors determining recruitment differ substantially over rather small distances. The level of recruitment in the five populations was related to the surface area of the nursery grounds.

Reference:

A.D. Rijnsdorp, F.A. van Beek, S. Flatman, R.M. Millner, J.D. Riley, M. Giret and R. de Clerk, 1992. Recruitment level and recruitment variability in five stocks of sole, Solea solea, in the north east Atlantic. Netherlands Journal of Sea Research, 29: 173-192.