The Barents Sea capelin has undergone dramatic changes in stock size over the last three decades. Three stock collapses (when abundance was low and fishing moratoriums imposed) occurred during 1985–1989, 1993–1997, and 2003–2006. A sharp reduction in stock size was also observed during 2014–2016; followed by an unexpectedly strong increase during 2016–2017. Observed stock biomass in 2015 and 2016 was below 1 million tonnes, which previously was defined as the threshold of collapse, while stock biomass increased to above 1 million tonnes in 2017-2018. Despite indications that capelin stock size was underestimated in 2016, at present 2015–2016 is recognized as a ‘mini-collapse’.
Stock size fluctuations
Previous collapses have had serious effects both up and down the foodweb. Reduced predation pressure from capelin has led to increased amounts of zooplankton during periods of capelin collapse. When capelin biomass was drastically reduced, its predators were affected in various ways. Cannibalism became more frequent in the cod stock, cod growth was reduced, and maturation delayed. Seabirds experienced increased rates of mortality, and total recruitment failures; breeding colonies were abandoned for several years. Harp seals experienced food shortages, and recruitment failure, and increased mortality; partly because they invaded coastal areas, and were caught in fishing gear. The effects were most serious during the 1985–1989 collapse, whereas, the effects could hardly be traced during the third collapse. Gjøsæter et al. (2009) concluded that these differences in effect likely resulted from increased availability of alternative food sources during the two most recent collapses (1990s and 2000s).
Recruitment
Figure 4.3.1. Fluctuation of capelin at age 0 (blue line) and 1 (red line) for the cohorts 1980–2017.Figure 4.3.2 shows a stock–recruitment plot from Gjøsæter et al. (2016) going back to 1987. This plot shows that 1989 is still the strongest year class (age-1). An estimation of breakpoint from this plot could be attempted. This figure has not been updated since the 2016 report. Figure 4.3.3 shows an alternative approach where recruitment-at-age 0 is used, and SSB is estimated as the mature stock (>14 cm) in autumn (with fishery removals taken in January–March subtracted).
The Barents Sea polar cod stock also has had a declining trend in recent years (described in the next section). The decrease in polar cod abundance may have contributed to increased predation pressure on capelin since polar cod is also prey for cod. Predation pressure from seals and whales may also have changed, but data are limited. Assuming that the occurrence of predators, such as harp seal and minke whale, has been stable, their steady feeding on capelin would come in addition to the heavy predation by cod.
Figure 4.3.2. SSB/R plot for capelin. Cohorts 1987–2012. Points coded according to herring biomass age 1 + 2 in spawning year. Circles—herring biomass 1.3 million tonnes. (Figure 7 in Gjøsæter et al. 2016).
Figure 4.3.3. Relationship between mature stock biomass (>14 cm) with spring fishery subtracted (biomass at 1 Oct. Y, total landings from 1 January to 1 April.Y+1 are subtracted, 1000 tonnes) and 0-group index in billions (Y+1), covering the cohorts 1980–2017. The size of bubbles indicates the biomass of herring at age 1-3 (ICES WGIBAR data). Minimum diameter of bubble corresponds to 0.02 million tonnes of herring (1983), the maximum ¬ - 5.02 million tonnes. (1994). The red point ¬is the 1989 cohort which is the basis for the current reference point (Blim).