A decade in the doldrums: depressed size-structure in the Celtic Sea fish community
Effects of fishing on community size-structure Fishing is selective and directly removes large individuals/species Removal of large piscivores leads to predation release which indirectly enhances small fish biomass
Shift from large to small fish dominated community
Size-based indicators Direct and indirect effects of fishing can be integrated by metrics like the Large Fish Indicator (LFI): Proportion by weight of ‘large’ fish = Where ‘large’ is derived from the data
LFI responds to F (lag). Sustained F in the Celtic Sea until 2002 Peak LFI in 1990 - low levels throughout the 2000s
Fishing (+ discarding) of ‘recruits’ prevents recovery (Monkfish, Hake, Cod, Haddock) M + G R M + G G + F G + F G + F
Models suggest a multi-decadal recovery period, asymptote depends on F history
Perturbed system with LFI well below 1990 No recovery during 2000s due to sustained F Some good recruitments but low survival Recovery depends on F history Decadal process - full recovery not guaranteed