Douglas R. Zemeckis

Spawning Dynamics and Associated Management Implications for Atlantic Cod

AbstractMany stocks of Atlantic Cod Gadus morhua have been depleted due to interactions between overfishing and environmental variation. Stock declines were often accompanied by reductions in spawning diversity and collapses of population structure. Studying Atlantic Cod spawning activity can provide insights into the mechanisms involved in rebuilding. This paper reviews the existing literature on Atlantic Cod spawning dynamics, including habitat, timing, behavior, gamete production, larval survivorship, and fishery impacts. The associated implications for fisheries management are discussed, and critical information gaps are identified for inclusion in future research. Of primary importance for consideration by fisheries managers are the spatial and temporal extent of spawning, the behavior of spawners, and the reproductive contributions of older age-classes. The application of spawning closures as part of a multidisciplinary approach to fisheries management is advocated to prevent the disruption of spawn...

Using Fishermen’s Ecological Knowledge to map Atlantic cod spawning grounds on Georges Bank

Using Fishermen’s Ecological Knowledge to map Atlantic cod spawning grounds on Georges Bank Gregory R. DeCelles*, David Martins, Douglas R. Zemeckis, and Steven X. Cadrin School for Marine Science and Technology, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 706 South Rodney French Blvd, New Bedford, MA 02740, USA Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, 1213 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA 02740, USA *Corresponding author: tel: þ1 508 99