Harvest selection on Atlantic cod behavioral traits: implications for spatial management

• DOI: 10.1002/ece3.244
• Publication Date: 2012-06-13T05:03:58Z
• Authors: Esben Moland Olsen; Michelle R. Heupel; Colin A. Simpfend...; Even Moland
• Keywords: Diel vertical migration

Harvesting wild populations may contrast or reinforce natural agents of selection and potentially cause evolutionary changes in life-history traits such as growth maturation. Harvest also act on behavioral traits, although this field research has so far received less attention. We used acoustic tags a network receivers to monitor the behavior fate individual Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua, N = 60) their habitat Norwegian Skagerrak coast. Fish with strong diel vertical migration, alternating between shallow- deep-water habitats, had higher risk being captured fishery (traps, gillnet, hand line) compared fish that stayed deeper water. There was significant negative correlation size (30-66 cm) magnitude migration. Natural clear, but tended favor large activity space. On monthly time scale we found repeatabilities for behavior, meaning characteristics persist therefore be termed personality traits. argue an approach fisheries management should consider behavior. This would particular relevance spatial actions marine reserve design.