Growth of 0-group fish in relation to temperature conditions in the Barents Sea during the period 1965- 1989

Abstract

Since 1965 the International 0-group fish survey has been carried out in the Barents Sea during late August and early September. The main purpose is to determine the year-class strength of some commercial fish species at an early stage in their life history. The present contribution is a preliminary study on the growth of the 0-group during the first half year after spawning. Comparisons of lengths of cod, haddock, herring and capelin strongly indicate similar variations from year to year. Since these species inhabit partly the same water masses the first six months, it is likely that the variation in growth depends on some common factors. One of these may be the temperature of the environment. The results so far indicate a relationship between the growth of larvae and temperature.