An analysis of larval fish community structure and capelin (Mallotus villosus) early life dynamics on the Northeast coast of Newfoundland

Shikon, Violaine (2018) An analysis of larval fish community structure and capelin (Mallotus villosus) early life dynamics on the Northeast coast of Newfoundland. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

Coastal embayments of Newfoundland are key spawning and nursery areas for numerous socioeconomically and ecologically important fish species. Survival during the vulnerable larval stage regulates recruitment and adult population dynamics. Larval fish community structure and larval capelin population dynamics were examined over two years in two relatively unstudied northern coastal embayments of Newfoundland (White Bay and Notre Dame Bay) and compared to that of Trinity Bay. Differences in community structure were driven primarily by sampling month, with no significant differences observed between years and among bays. However, larval capelin otolith microstructure analyses revealed that growth was significantly higher in the northern bays in 2015, but lower in 2016, relative to Trinity Bay. This research suggests that seasonally driven larval fish community structure is consistent along much of the Northeast coast of Newfoundland, while larval capelin dynamics vary spatially, and these spatial differences in growth and abundance may vary substantially on an interannual basis.

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