Fish Module ‐ A prognostic tool for modeling the optimal environmental conditions for fish

Abstract

This article discusses the service called the Fish Module for the predictive determination of the optimal environmental conditions for the occurrence of sprat, herring, cod, and flounder on the example of fish found in the southern Baltic Sea (in particular in the Gulf of Gdańsk region). The Fish Module utilizes data from the EcoFish ecohydrodynamic model and then uses fuzzy logic and fish preference data to calculate the Habitat Suitability Index (HSI). Data on fish preference were determined based on 587 expeditions during which physicochemical parameters of the sea were recorded. Our analysis determined threshold HSI values below which successful catches are unlikely for sprat, herring, and cod, confirming the system's effectiveness in identifying locations with favorable environmental conditions for these species. Fishermen are advised to select routes with specific HSI thresholds to achieve greater efficiency in fishing. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that fishing durations do not necessarily correlate with higher catches, emphasizing the importance of selecting suitable routes based on favorable environmental conditions for fish habitat. We expect the Fish Module to be the most demanded product of the FindFISH project.