Description
The main objective of this series of individual cruises is to produce both an index and a direct estimate of the biomass of the north east Atlantic and Bay of Biscay sardine stock and an index for the southern and western sardine stocks. The general method is to quantify the freshly spawned eggs in the water column on the spawning grounds, report egg species identification and staging. To be able to establish a relationship between eggs and biomass of the spawning stock, the fecundity of the females must also be determined. The realised fecundity is used in combination with the calculated number of freshly spawned eggs in the water to render an estimate of the spawning stock biomass. To provide reliable estimates of the quantity of spawned eggs and the fecundity an extensive coverage of the spawning area is required both in time and space. Provide temperature data from the CTD casts will be used for the egg ageing procedure. Other environmental variables will be used for hydrographic and spawning area characterization.
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