Characterising Essential Fish Habitat using spatio‐temporal analysis of fishery data: A case study of the European seabass spawning areas

• DOI: 10.1111/fog.12527
• Publication Date: 2021-01-13T23:29:25Z
• Authors: Chloé Dambrine; Mathieu Woillez; Martin Huret; Hélène de Pontual
• Keywords: Stock assessment

Abstract Fish habitats sustain essential functions for fish to complete their life cycle, such as feeding, growing and spawning. Conservation is crucial maintain populations exploitation. Since 2013, the spawning stock biomass of northern European seabass ( Dicentrarchus labrax ) has been in a worrying state. A series low recruitments with persistently high level fishing blamed, raising concerns about processes involved reproduction settlement nurseries. Here, we characterise areas along French Atlantic coast using vessel monitoring system (VMS) data. non‐linear geostatistical approach was applied, from 2008 2014, detect locations where aggregate Occurrence maps distribution were combined into probability quantify seasonal inter‐annual variability highlight recurrent, occasional unfavourable areas. We identified three main areas: Rochebonne Plateau Bay Biscay, Western English Channel North Cotentin peninsula Eastern Channel. The correlative link between this geographical environmental factors investigated Bayesian spatio‐temporal model. structure accounted vast majority model predictive skills, whereas covariates had negligible effect. Our revealed persistence spatial intra‐ variability. Offshore appear be seabass, should considered management strategies.