Density-dependent and independent changes in somatic growth of female North Sea plaice Pleuronecles platessa between 1930 and 1985 as revealed by back-calculation of otoliths
Rijnsdorp, A.D.; van Leeuwen, P.I. (1992). Density-dependent and independent changes in somatic growth of female North Sea plaice Pleuronecles platessa between 1930 and 1985 as revealed by back-calculation of otoliths. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 88(1): 19-32
In: Marine Ecology Progress Series. Inter-Research: Oldendorf/Luhe. ISSN 0171-8630; e-ISSN 1616-1599, more
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| Keywords |
Acceleration
Age determination
Age determination > Otolith reading
Availability
Density dependence
Dimensions > Length
Food
Population characteristics > Population density
Population characteristics > Population structure
Population functions > Growth
Sex > Females
Size distribution
Pleuronectes platessa Linnaeus, 1758 [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal |
| Authors | | Top |
- Rijnsdorp, A.D., more
- van Leeuwen, P.I.
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| Abstract |
Changes in the somatic growth of female plaice Pleuronectes platessa between 1930 and 1985 is studied by back-calculation of otoliths. It is shown that in the period 1940-49 growth rate was reduced, which coincided with a 3-fold increase in the plaice stock due to the closure of the fishery during the second world war. The growth reduction was largest in large fish (> 45 cm) as compared to medium size fish (30-40 cm), but could not be detected in the size classes < 20 cm. In large plaice the growth reduction occurred later in time as compared to the medium sized fish. Growth in the immediate pre- and post-war years appeared to be similar. At some time in the 1950s and 1960s a growth acceleration started in the size classes up to 30 cm, levelling off in the 1970s. This growth acceleration was largest in the smallest size classes. Within the period of growth acceleration, the 1963 year class, which was about 3 times the average year class strength, showed a slight but significant reduction in growth. The reduction in growth was restricted to size classes < 30 cm and was largest in smaller fish. |
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