Cyclic fluctuations of blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) over 1950- 2011 in the NW Mediterranean

Abstract

Landings of blue whiting fluctuated with a periodicity of 6 to 8 years in the NW Mediterranean over the period 1950 -2011, independently of fishing effort. We show that these fluctuations are correlated with the winter Western Mediterranean oscillation index (WeMOi), but not with other major climatic modes, such as the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). In addition, recruitment is shown to be correlated with winter SST. We conclude that years with cold winters enhance recruitment in blue whiting, which appears as a strong year class in the catches in the following year