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What drives the recovery of depleted fish stocks?
Why did cod and haddock on the Faroe Bank remain at historically low levels for more than a decade, despite restrictions on commercial fishing?
A new study led by Ian Salter and colleagues at Faroe Marine Research Institute - Havstovan published in Fisheries Oceanography a few days ago, explores how oceanographic variability influences the recovery of depleted fish stocks.
Drawing on approximately 25 years of fisheries, biological and oceanographic observations, the researchers found that the recovery of cod and haddock coincided with cooler spring bottom temperatures, increased phytoplankton productivity, improved growth of juvenile fish and the return of sandeel — an important prey species.
The study identifies two potential environmental bottlenecks to recovery: conditions affecting the growth and survival of juvenile fish, and changes in the availability of sandeel as a key food resource.
The findings highlight the importance of environmental recovery windows — periods when favourable oceanographic and food-web conditions coincide with reduced fishing pressure, creating opportunities for depleted stocks to rebuild.
The research underscores the value of integrating oceanographic and ecosystem observations into fisheries science and management, particularly as the North Atlantic continues to experience climate change.
Read the full publication:
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