Linking hydrography, ecosystem dynamics and fish recruitment (LIFECO)

Overview

LIFECO (Linking hydrographic Frontal activity to Ecosystem activity) is a international, multidisciplinary research project set up to resolve the influence of hydrographic fronts on the recruitment success of North Sea fish stocks. The program aims to resolve the influence of hydrography on spatial distribution and feeding interactions of commercial fish stocks, results that will be of great importance for fisheries assessment and management strategies. Specifically the project will aid in the development of management strategies based on environmentally sensitive areas, supporting the key information on major ecological enclaves. The project runs during the period 2001-2003. The programme involves research groups from Denmark, Germany, Norway and the UK. Measurements taken include temperature, salinity, oxygen, light and fluorescence profiling, measurements of primary and secondary productivity and also micro-, meso- and macro-zooplankton, fish larvae, juveniles and adults. Cruises were carried out at approximately monthly intervals between March and November 2001. Cruise data will be integrated with 3-D coupled bio-physical models, remote sensing data and selected data from historic databases as the project unfolds.

The Fish Behaviour team is involved in assessing the spatial and temporal dynamics of juvenile predatory gadoids  in relationship to environmental variables. In addition, we are undertaking novel research into the scale of movements of large predatory fish (cod) in and around frontal systems. Results so far indicate that cod demonstrate relatively limited movements (<500m) on feeding grounds within fronts during summer months.

Partners

• Danish Institute for Fisheries Research (DIFRES)
• University of Kiel
• IHF Hamburg
• University of Bergen
• IMR, Norway