Fishery and physical modulation of ecosystem dynamics

A recent ~50 year time series study using averaged North Sea fish catch,
recruitment and spawning stock biomass and zoo- and phytoplankton from the
Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) survey provides strong evidence for
interaction between fish species and plankton. Clear physical forcing of
long-term changes in some zooplankton was also shown. The aim is to extend this
work to include additional data and to make comparisons with the Irish/Malin
Sea. Multivariate analyses and the degree of time lag present between cause and
effect, will be used to identify relationships. Work will also attempt to
identify those plankton groups that are responding similarly and any regional
response to fishery modulation of the plankton in the North Sea.