Spatial and temporal distribution of Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus juveniles in Mutsu Bay, Japan

Pacific cod

水産海洋学会

水産海洋研究

The spatial distributions of Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) juveniles and their food organisms were examined in Mutsu Bay from April to July during 1988-1997. In April, large larvae (≤25 mm in total length (TL)) and pelagic juveniles (>25 mm TL) were widely distributed in the bay, and were concentrated at the same depths as calanoid copepodites during daylight hours. Geographical changes in cod TLs might have been due to transport by the Tsugaru Warm Current. After mid- and late May, juveniles and calanoid copepodites occurred on the bottom. Mean densities of cod juveniles fluctuated annually in April and June, and high densities occurred when calanoid copepods were abundant. Juveniles were rarely found at temperatures >12℃, and it is likely that they migrate out of the bay after late June when temperatures increase and the abundance of prey decrease in the bay. Pacific cod use Mutsu Bay as a nursery ground, and calanoid copepodites sustain cod larvae and juveniles as their prey until mid-June. Large fluctuation in mortality of Pacific cod might occur in pelagic juvenile and subsequent stages after April in Mutsu Bay.