Abstract
We examined the effeсts of environmentаl fаctоrs (water temperature, the North Atlantic Oscillation winter index – NAOw, and cod biomass) on the abundance (population number), biomass and mean individual weight of juvenile red king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) at a typical coastal site of the Barents Sea, Dalnezelenetskaya Bay, a place of red king crab introduction. Current-year abundance and stock data for 3–5-year-old crabs were positively related to water temperature in September and October. The biomass of crabs at age 0–2 yr was positively correlated with lag 1 water temperature in August, while the abundance of age 0–5 yr was positively correlated to the NAOw indicating more favorable habitat conditions in warmer periods. The abundance of crabs at age 3–5 yr was negatively correlated to December temperature and mean water temperature and temperature anomaly with a 1-year lag. These temperature relationships, together with negative correlations between stock indices of crabs and cod (Gadus morhua) and positive relationships between mean crab weight and cod biomass, suggests that the fish predation, which is higher in warmer years, has a more important role in mortality of 3–5 yr crabs than 0–2 yr crabs. Our findings may be useful for modeling recruitment processes and management of red king crab in the Barents Sea.
Highlights
In the marine environment, many species of bottom organisms have long life spans
We found that red king crab abundance indices were negatively correlated to the North Atlantic
Since 1997, positive values of the North Atlantic Oscillation Winter Index (NAOw) were recorded, which correspond to warm bottom temperatures in the southern value of the NAOw for the whole study period (–4.64) occurred Barents Sea
Summary
Many species of bottom organisms have long life spans. These characteristics provide the potential for benthic fauna to integrate environmental fluctuations over long and short time scales (Denisenko, 2007; Frolova et al, 2007; Johnson et al, 2020).The red king crab, Paralithodes camtschaticus (Tilesius, 1815) is a native species of the North Pacific region. Many species of bottom organisms have long life spans. These characteristics provide the potential for benthic fauna to integrate environmental fluctuations over long and short time scales (Denisenko, 2007; Frolova et al, 2007; Johnson et al, 2020). The red king crab, Paralithodes camtschaticus (Tilesius, 1815) is a native species of the North Pacific region. It was introduced into the Barents Sea by soviet scientists during the 1960s to increase the economic potential of the local fishery. In Russia, the commercial fishery of the Barents Sea red king crab started in 2004 (Dvoretsky and Dvoretsky, 2015, 2018)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
