| Early life history dynamics of forage fishes in the northern Gulf of Mexico |
| JOHNSON, MARSHALL B., Department of Marine Sciences, University of South Alabama, 307 University Blvd, LSCB Rm 25, Mobile, AL 36688, mbjohnson@disl.org, Hernandez, Frank J., and Muffelman, Sarah C., Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL), 101 Bienville Blvd., Dauphin Island, AL 36528, fhernandez@disl.org and smuffelman@disl.org |
| Recent emphasis on ecosystem-based fisheries management has focused attention on the role and sustainability of forage fishes. Although the classification of “forage fish” is subjective, general attributes include: 1) a high population and biomass; 2) a large reproductive potential; 3) a tendency to swim in large, pelagic schools; 4) a role as preferred prey for larger predators; 5) and a role as a low trophic level feeder. Forage fishes form a critical link in marine food webs by transferring energy from primary producers (e.g., phytoplankton) and primary consumers (e.g., zooplankton) to higher trophic levels. Because many commercially and recreationally important marine fish species rely on forage fishes for prey, an understanding of the factors that influence forage fish population dynamics will aid in the management of marine fisheries resources and the development of regional ecosystem models. The goals of the present study are to: 1) develop a working definition for “forage fish” and compose a list of forage fish species for the northern Gulf of Mexico; 2) examine ontogenetic changes in feeding for the early stages of select forage fish species; and; 3) examine the abundance and phenology of larval forage fishes in relation to primary productivity cycles, zooplankton prey and gelatinous zooplankton predators in the coastal waters of Alabama. |
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