Growth differences in juvenile Norwegian spring spawning herring (Clupea harengus L.) related to temperature conditions in the nursery areas

Abstract

Growth differences in juvenile Norwegian spring spawning herring (Clupea harengus L.) related to temperature conditions in the nursery areas The hatched larvae of Norwegian spring spawning herring are transported to nursery areas in fjords along the coast and to the Barents Sea from 58°-80°N. Consequently there is a wide range of temperature and ecological regimes experienced by the juveniles which may be reflected in differences in growth patterns throughout their geographic range. In the present study we demonstrate differences in juvenile growth between nurseries on a latitudinal scale using data collected on research surveys during 1989-2004. The possible effects of temperature on geographical and inter-annual differences in juvenile growth are tested