Multi-year tracking of European sea bass shows large-scale connectivity, summer site fidelity, and repeatability in migration timing
Edwards, J.E.; Bijleveld, A.I.; Buijse, A.D.; Davies, P.; Hall, A.E.; Huisman, J.; van der Knaap, I.; Meijer Zu Schlochtern, M.P.; Reubens, J.; Sheehan, E.V.; Stamp, T.; Winter, H.V. (2025). Multi-year tracking of European sea bass shows large-scale connectivity, summer site fidelity, and repeatability in migration timing. ICES J. Mar. Sci./J. Cons. int. Explor. Mer 82(10): fsaf190. https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsaf190
In: ICES Journal of Marine Science. Academic Press: London. ISSN 1054-3139; e-ISSN 1095-9289, more
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| Keywords |
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| Author keywords |
movement ecology, residency, repeatability |
| Authors | | Top |
- Edwards, J.E., more
- Bijleveld, A.I., more
- Buijse, A.D.
- Davies, P.
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- Hall, A.E.
- Huisman, J.
- van der Knaap, I., more
- Meijer Zu Schlochtern, M.P.
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- Reubens, J., more
- Sheehan, E.V.
- Stamp, T., more
- Winter, H.V.
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| Abstract |
Movement data are essential to the effective conservation and management of migratory species. European sea bass, an ecologically and economically important migratory species in the northeast Atlantic, has expanded its range northward in recent decades. However, the dynamics of its large-scale and seasonal movement patterns across much of its range remain poorly understood. Notably, increasing sea bass abundance in the Wadden Sea, amidst widespread population declines across its broader range, highlights the potential significance of seasonal habitats for the species’ overall stability. We used acoustic telemetry to explore the importance of northern summer foraging grounds for sea bass, including examination of large-scale migratory connectivity, seasonal residency, and site fidelity. Acoustic detections from 130 adult sea bass (LT = 40-75 cm) revealed extensive seasonal migrations spanning 700 km between the Wadden Sea, North Sea, and English Channel. Migration occurred primarily in spring and autumn and highlighted strong regional connectivity between the Wadden Sea and southern North Sea. Larger individuals were associated with shorter migration distances. Within the Wadden Sea, sea bass arrived in spring (median date = May 22) and departed in autumn (median date = Oct 13) and had a median residence period of 136 days. For most fish, the extent of core area use ranged from 0-54 km. Additionally, 79% of returning individuals were detected within 10 km of their activity centres in previous years. Repeatability analyses showed high consistency between years in departure timing, core area extent, and site fidelity, emphasising greater among-individual than within-individual variation. These findings underscore the significance of the Wadden Sea as a summer habitat and shed light on the seasonal and regional behaviours of sea bass across their migration routes. This knowledge is vital for informing management strategies that account for both local and large-scale movements in this highly migratory population. |
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