Mixed-stock analysis of Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus): a tool for identifying management units and complex migration dynamics. (4th January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bekkevold, Dorte; Berg, Florian; Polte, Patrick; Bartolino, Valerio; Ojaveer, Henn; Mosegaard, Henrik; Farrell, Edward D; Fedotova, Jelena; Hemmer-Hansen, Jakob; Huwer, Bastian; Trijoulet, Vanessa; Albertsen, Christoffer Moesgaard; Fuentes-Pardo, Angela P; Gröhsler, Tomas; Pettersson, Mats; Jansen, Teunis; Folkvord, Arild; Andersson, Leif
• Editors: Grant, W Stewart
• Is Part Of: ICES journal of marine science. Volume 80:Number 1(2023)
• Page Start: 173
• Page End: 184
• Publication Date: 2023-01-04
• Subjects: clupeid -- genetic stock identification -- genomics -- management units -- migration -- mixed-stock analysis -- population structure -- SNP; Ocean -- Periodicals; Fisheries -- Periodicals; Fishes -- Periodicals; Marine biology -- Bibliography -- Periodicals; 551.4605
• DOI: 10.1093/icesjms/fsac223
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1054-3139

Abstract

Abstract: We developed and validated a mixed-stock analysis (MSA) method with 59 single-nucleotide polymorphisms selected from genome-wide data to assign individuals to populations in mixed-stock samples of Atlantic herring from the North and Baltic seas. We analysed 3734 herring from spawning locations and scientific catches of mixed feeding stocks to demonstrate a "one-fits-all" tool with unprecedented accuracy for monitoring spatio-temporal dynamics throughout a large geographical range with complex stock mixing. We re-analysed time-series data (2002–2021) and compared inferences about stock composition with estimates from morphological data. We show that contributions from the western Baltic spring-spawning stock complex, which is under management concern, have likely been overestimated. We also show that a genetically distinctive population of western Baltic autumn spawners, ascribed low fisheries importance, contributes non-negligible and potentially temporally increasing proportions to mixed-stock aggregations, calling for a re-evaluation of stock definitions. MSA data can be implemented in stock assessment and in a variety of applications, including marine ecosystem description, impact assessment of specific fleets, and stock-rebuilding plans.