Life history of <i>Maurolicus muelleri</i> in fjordic and oceanic environments

Abstract

Life history parameters are compared for populations of Maurolicus muelleri from Norwegian fjords and the Norwegian Sea in 1995 and 1996. The mortality rate was higher in the oceanic population (2·55 for males, 2·00 for females) than in the fjords (1·15 for males, 0·97 for females). Fish from the Norwegian Sea population occupied a depth with higher light levels, which may have contributed to the higher mortality through increased visibility to predators. Differences in growth, condition and gonad weight indicated different resource levels caused by different population densities. Recruitment was weak in many fjords in 1994, but not in the Norwegian Sea. It is suggested that wind‐generated advection may affect recruitment in fjords on the western coast of Norway.