You are what you get caught with : inter-individual variation in coastal Atlantic cod behaviour

Bøe, Kristin

You are what you get caught with : inter-individual variation in coastal Atlantic cod behaviour

2014

Bøe, Kristin

Consistent behavioural differences among individuals is a common phenomenon that has been demonstratedfor a wide range of taxonomical groups. Such behavioural differences are expected to have ecological andevolutionary implications and has therefore received an increasing amount of attention during the pastdecade.This study applies acoustic telemetry to explore intra-population variation in coastal Atlantic cod behaviour.Specifically, I explore whether consistent differences in cod (Gadus morhua) behaviour can be correlated totwo a priori defined groups based on the type of gear that the individuals were caught with prior to tagging.The aim was to elucidate potential selectivity bias of fishing gear with respect to behavioural types. This wasstudied using acoustic telemetry within a small study area in the inner parts of Oslo fjord. A high level ofamong-individual variation in behaviour was identified, and the group were significantly different withrespect to temperature use and how they were distributed in the water column. The contrasting use oftemperatures may have implications for growth and hence life-history characteristics, which in turn have thepotential to provide the basis of fisheries-induced evolution. This suggests that the inclusion of a behaviouralaspect in population management could be of high relevance.

Показать больше [+]