Cod stocks

THE POTENTIAL FOR A RECOVERY OF THE EASTERN BALTIC COD STOCK AND BENEFITS FROM A POTENTIALLY REESTABLISHED BALANCED ECOSYSTEM... 

Fishery and hydrography are obviously the major driving forces of the fate of the eastern Baltic cod stock. In the absence of a large foraging cod stock, sprat stocks thrive, foraging themselves on the food of cod larvae and on cod eggs as well, leading to a sprat-dominated ecosystem (Fig. 18.14). 

The cod stock has been driven down on the one hand by a rigorous fishery, with total allowable catches exceeding over many years the scientific recommendations, the reproduction on the other hand was hampered by the adverse hydrographic conditions. Under the prevailing conditions, with a continuous lack of inflow and a very high sprat stock a recovery... 

In this chapter, we review fishing history and climate effects on cod, sprat, and herring stocks considering effects of the fishery and physical environment on stock development and the reproductive success, recruitment, and growth. Finally, the potential for the recovery of the eastern Baltic cod stock and the benefits of a more balanced ecosystem are discussed. 

Nissling, A., Westin, L., 1997. Salinity requirements for successful spawning of Baltic and Belt Sea cod and the potential for cod stock interactions in the Baltic Sea. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 152, 261-271. 

YE Q and ZAMPATTI B (2007) Murray cod stock status the lower River Murray, South Australia. Adelaide South Australian Research and Development Institute. 

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