Dynamic energy budget model for the complete life cycle of chub mackerel in the Northwest Pacific

Abstract

Chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) in the Northwest Pacific is an important pelagic fishery resource and a significant target species in purse seine fisheries. However, the catch of chub mackerel fluctuates greatly from year to year, and recent studies have shown that the Tsushima stock may be overfished. Therefore, research on the biology and population dynamics of this species is required to provide sufficient scientific support for the development of reasonable management and recovery plans and for the increased sustainable use of resource fisheries. In this study, a dynamic energy budget (DEB) model was constructed based on DEB theory for the complete life cycle of chub mackerel in the Northwest Pacific by using biological data to simulate processes, including growth, reproduction, and death. The key results were as follows. 1) The DEB model accurately simulated the complete life cycle of chub mackerel, with a good fit for the relationships between age and length as well as length and weight, while accurately estimating annual absolute fecundity, aging, and death and predicting the metamorphosis time of larval fish. 2) The DEB model can incorporate the effects of temperature and food to describe the effects of marine environmental conditions on chub mackerel growth. 3) The DEB model involved multiple interrelated parameters; however, owing to a lack of observational data, there was a certain degree of uncertainty in estimated parameter values. The DEB model provides a basis for establishing correlations and intrinsically unifying biological processes, including growth, sexual maturation, reproduction, aging, and death, thereby guiding studies of growth, reproduction, and population dynamics of chub mackerel in the Northwest Pacific.