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The influence of biotic and abiotic factors on the growth of sprat (Sprattus sprattus) in the Baltic Sea

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 November 2002

Massimiliano Cardinale ,
Michèle Casini  and
Fredrick Arrhenius
Massimiliano Cardinale
Affiliation:
Institute of Marine Research, National Board of Fisheries, P.O. Box 4, SE-45321, Lysekil, Sweden
Michèle Casini
Affiliation:
Institute of Marine Research, National Board of Fisheries, P.O. Box 4, SE-45321, Lysekil, Sweden
Fredrick Arrhenius
Affiliation:
Institute of Marine Research, National Board of Fisheries, P.O. Box 4, SE-45321, Lysekil, Sweden
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Abstract

We analysed spatial and temporal patterns of condition factor (CF) of sprat (Sprattus sprattus) between 1986 and 2000 in different areas of the Baltic proper. Results showed a moderate increase in CF between 1986 and 1989. Afterwards, an abrupt decrease in CF, between 22% and 29%, occurred in all the areas of the Baltic proper. However, from 1998 and onwards, CF increased compared to the previous years. Weight-at-age and CF of Baltic herring showed a similar pattern in the same period. Several factors affecting variability of sprat CF were evaluated. Data showed that sprat CF was density-dependent and possibly related to the pelagic fish abundance and individual food intake. Temperature did not influence sprat CF while salinity seemed to affect variability of sprat CF in the northern Baltic proper. Changes in salinity levels may shape pelagic fish growth rates both indirectly changing the zooplankton community structure and abundance and/or directly via fish physiology and metabolisms.

Keywords

ClupeidsCondition factorDensity-dependent growthAbiotic factorsBaltic Sea
Type
Research Article
Information
Aquatic Living Resources , Volume 15 , Issue 5 , November 2002 , pp. 273 - 281
Copyright
© Elsevier, IRD, Inra, Ifremer, Cemagref, CNRS, 2002

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