Recruitment of the barents sea plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.)

Abstract

To study recruitment of Barents Sea plaice, we used a series of annual data obtained during the 1972–1990 period on the abundance of eggs and larvae and strength of year classes entering the fishery. We calculated annual values for population fecundity and survival. To show the most important factors determining plaice recruitment, a multifactorial regression analysis was used. Year-to-year variations in plaice recruitment were significantly correlated with fluctuations in population fecundity and larval abundance. This suggests that year-class strength of Barents Sea plaice is determined before the end of the pelagic phase.