Capelin and Herring in the Barents Sea - coexistence or exclusion (basecoex)

The programme describes a multidiciplinary research concept rooted in new theories, modelling and new technology, integrated over physical oceanography, zooplankton, and experimental and classical fishery biology on a confined area and time-scale. The maj or aim of the programme is to establish new knowledge regarding capelin-herring interactions in the Barents Sea since the inter-annual abundance for these species fluctuates inversely. We seek to investigate the apparent linkage between the species and th e possible predatory role of herring on capelin larvae through a coherent series of meso-scale field research and laboratory based experiments. Major topics to be addressed include: i) physical forcings' effects on drift paths of capelin larvae and their overlap in distribution with that of herring, ii) predator-prey interactions between capelin larvae and juvenile herring, and iii) studies of potential genetic components of spawning behaviour, thermal preferenda and recruitment success of capelin. We fi nd the programme timely since the current ecological situation of the Barents Sea is characterised both by a capelin population in growth and substantial amounts of young herring. Thus, by exploiting synergies from a multidicipli nary research community i n Tromsø, we have the opportunity to improve our understanding of the Barents Sea ecosystem in general and capelin-herring interactions in particular.