Possible implications of climatic variability on the presence of capelin (Mallotus villosus) off the Norwegian coast

Abstract

The distribution of capelin in the southern Barents Sea shifts in the east-west direction in response to warming or cooling trends. The capelin arrives at the spawning grounds earlier and spawning takes place in deeper water in cold years as compared to warm years. Although the ultimate regulators of capelin distribution/abundance in the Barents Sea may involve complex interactions/responses between capelin and abiotic and biotic variables, water temperature was found to be a successful predictor and proximate regulator of capelin distribution/ abundance in that area. It has been maintained that capelin did not visit the Norwegian coastal waters during the turn of the 18th century and in 1830–1840. Yet, meteorological, oceanographic and ecological data hitherto presented provide cumulative evidence that capelin migrated to the Norwegian spawning grounds during both periods. Nevertheless, capelin arrived early in the year and remained and spawned further offshore in deeper waters. Since capelin in earlier fisheries were fished by means of land-fixed nets, the size of the catch depended on access by the capelin to the immediate coastal fishing areas. Thus, capelin were not accessible to Norwegian fishermen.