The location of spawning of Irish Sea herring (Clupea harengus)

Abstract

Time series of ichthyoplankton surveys targeted at herring larvae describe the distribution of spawning in the north Irish Sea by mapping the occurrence of very young larvae. The surveys suggest, that like other herring stocks, the spawning grounds of Irish Sea herring vary over the years. Currently, spawning at the Mourne location is greatly reduced whereas spawning has occurred at a newly described site to the north of the Isle of Man (off the Point of Ayre). Whilst spawning is dominated by autumn spawners in late September, some spawning occurs through to January.