Shifting marine fish stock distribution and dynamics 



In the context of warming marine ecosystems of the Northwest Atlantic, this component of my research program aims to study the dynamics of emerging species and potential fisheries.



Some marine fish species have the capacity to rapidly expand or modify their distribution as a response to fluctuations in the thermal environment. These can be considered as 'indicator' species and a better understanding of their shifting dynamics can help anticipate the future distribution of fisheries resource under climate warming scenarios.

 

Through a partnership including the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University (MI), ISMER and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), MSc student Liang Zhu is studing the biology of the rapid invasion of silver hake into deep waters off the South coast of Newfoundland and into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. This small predatory gadoid fish traditionally distributing on the Scotian Shelf has rapidly become one of the most abundant fish on St. Pierre Bank with incursions in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Silver hake invasion could result in new commercial fishing opportunities, but have potential implications for the functioning of these exploited marine ecosystems. Liang is studying the trophodynamics (stomach content) and growth (otolith) of hake in newly-colonized areas to determine trophic impact and potential for continued increase in abundance.