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Predicting the dispersion of sprat larvae (Sprattus sprattus (L.)) in the German Bight
Author(s) -
BARTSCH JOACHIM,
KNUST RAINER
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
fisheries oceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.016
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1365-2419
pISSN - 1054-6006
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2419.1994.tb00106.x
Subject(s) - sprat , larva , oceanography , environmental science , biological dispersal , biology , fishery , ecology , geology , herring , fish <actinopterygii> , population , demography , sociology
Sprat ( Sprattus sprattus (L.)) larval dispersal in the German Bight is predicted with a model system consisting of two three‐dimensional circulation models and a three‐dimensional transport model. Horizontal distribution data for specific length classes of larvae, obtained from field surveys carried out in the German Bight during summer 1991, are used as initial conditions for the starting points of the tracers in the transport model. Sprat larval distributions are predicted and are compared with distributions of the appropriate length class of larvae observed during a subsequent cruise about 3 weeks later. The predicted larval (tracer) distributions compare favourably to observed larvae distributions in the inner model areas but not in the areas close to the coast. Factors contributing to inaccurate predictions are uncertainties in horizontal and vertical larval distributions as well as the model grid resolution, which is too coarse in coastal areas.