Quantifying spatial dynamics and stock structure of Atlantic halibut within the Gulf of St. Lawrence to improve sustainable exploitation and management

量化圣劳伦斯湾大西洋大比目鱼的空间动态和种群结构，以改善可持续开发和管理

• 批准号: 506993-2017
• 负责人: Robert, Dominique
• 金额: $ 14.36万
• 依托单位: Université du Québec à Rimouski
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Strategic Projects - Group
• 财政年份: 2017
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2017-01-01 至 2018-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=642124
• 关键词: Quantifying; spatial; dynamics; stock; structure

Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) supports the most valuable groundfish fishery per-unit-weight in Atlantic Canada. Despite high socio-economic importance for 5 Canadian provinces, the stock in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (GSL) is currently managed under limited scientific knowledge, making the fishery vulnerable to changing ecosystem conditions. This research aims to generate new knowledge to improve the assessment and management of GSL Atlantic halibut. The main objective is to facilitate the optimal and sustainable exploitation of the resource by informing the design of a dedicated survey for the stock. This will be achieved through five specific objectives: (1) assess spatio-temporal variability in depth and temperature associations within the whole management unit through satellite tagging of adult fish; (2) reveal distribution and seasonal migration patterns using a geolocation model that relies on daily changes in depth and temperature recorded by satellite tags; (3) identify the timing and location of key behaviours such as spawning and feeding activity, which have implications for stock assessment and survey design; (4) locate potential nursery areas using a circulation model with the combined knowledge of spawning location, and egg and larval incubation period; and (5) assess connectivity among different sectors of the Gulf by quantifying movements through life history using otolith chemistry. In the short term, results from this program will facilitate the design of a new survey and provide a basis for improved management of the fishery including fishing quotas based on abundance of the resource. In the mid-term, the program will provide scientific information necessary for future choices by industry related to eco-certification, which typically gives access to premium markets and higher landed value. In the longer term, the students and postdoctoral fellow trained as part of this program will take key academic, government and industry positions in a sector where a severe shortage has been identified at the national level.

大西洋大比目鱼（Hippoglossus）是加拿大大西洋地区单位重量最有价值的底栖鱼渔业。尽管对加拿大5个省具有很高的社会经济重要性，但圣劳伦斯湾（GSL）的种群目前在有限的科学知识下进行管理，使渔业容易受到不断变化的生态系统条件的影响。这项研究旨在产生新的知识，以改善GSL大西洋大比目鱼的评估和管理。主要目标是通过为种群专门调查的设计提供信息，促进资源的最佳和可持续开发。这将通过五个具体目标实现：（1）通过卫星标记成鱼，评估整个管理单位内深度和温度关联的时空变化;（2）利用依赖卫星标记记录的深度和温度每日变化的地理定位模型，揭示分布和季节性洄游模式;（3）确定产卵和摄食活动等关键行为的时间和地点，这对种群评估和调查设计有影响;（4）结合产卵地点、卵和幼虫孵化期的知识，利用环流模型确定潜在的育苗区;和（5）通过使用耳石化学来量化通过生活史的运动，评估海湾不同部门之间的连通性。在短期内，该方案的结果将有助于设计新的调查，并为改善渔业管理提供依据，包括根据资源丰度制定捕捞配额。在中期，该计划将为与生态认证相关的行业未来的选择提供必要的科学信息，这通常可以进入优质市场和更高的土地价值。从长远来看，作为该计划的一部分培训的学生和博士后研究员将在国家一级严重短缺的行业中担任关键的学术，政府和行业职位。