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The distribution of cod (Gadus morhua) in the North Sea
Heessen, H.J.L. (1993). The distribution of cod (Gadus morhua) in the North Sea. Sci. Counc. Stud. NAFO 18: 59-65
In: Scientific council studies. Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization. Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization: Dartmouth, N.S.. ISSN 0250-6432; e-ISSN 1682-9808, more
Peer reviewed article  

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Keywords
    Age > Biological age
    Dimensions > Depth
    Distribution records
    Fisheries > Finfish fisheries > Gadoid fisheries
    Management > Resource management > Fishery management
    Properties > Water properties > Temperature > Water temperature
    Salinity
    Surveys > Fishery surveys
    Temporal variations > Periodic variations > Annual variations
    Gadus morhua Linnaeus, 1758 [WoRMS]
    Marine/Coastal

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  • Heessen, H.J.L., more

Abstract
    Cod (Gadus morhua) distribution data for the period 1971-91 from the International Young Fish Survey conducted in February, and the period 1981-91 from the Dutch Groundfish Survey conducted in October/November, were studied to determine possible trends in their abundance in different parts of the North Sea. Cod were widely distributed. Age groups 0 and 1 were most abundant in the German Bight, along the Dutch coast and northeast coast of England, while the age groups 3 and 4 were most abundant in the northern North Sea. For the southeastern North Sea, an important nursery area, the relation between abundance of cod and depth, temperature and salinity was studied. Although annual differences were pronounced, age groups 0 to 3 showed decreasing abundance with increasing depths with the tendency strongest for age group 0. The younger age groups also had highest densities at low temperature and low salinities, while the older fish were found in warmer water. These age specific differences in distribution were relevant to interpreting data from surveys.

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