A comparison between abundance estimates of the Barents Sea capelin (Mallotus villosus Muller) at the larval, 0-group and 1-group stage, for the year classes 1981-1994

Abstract

Three abundance estimates - larval abundance estimate (June surveys), a 0-group index (August surveys) and an acoustic estimate of 1-group (September surveys) - were compared for the year classes 1981-1994 of Barents Sea capelin (Mallotus villosus Mullet). There was a significant linear correlation (p=0.0001) between the 0-group index and the 1-group estimate, allowing for predictions to be made about year-class strength at the 1-group stage based on the 0-group indices. No correlation was found between the larval abundance estimate and the 0-group index, or between the abundance estimates at the larval and the 1-group stage.