Multi-annual fluctuations in reconstructed historical time-series of a european lobster (Homarus gammarus) population disappear at increased exploitation levels

Abstract

Through the history of ecology, fluctuations of populations have been a dominating topic, and endogenous causes of fluctuations and oscillations have been recognized and studied for more than 80 years. Here we analyzed an historical dataset, covering more than 130 years, of European lobster (Homarus gammarus) catches. The data shows periodic fluctuations, which are first dampened and then disappear over time. The disappearance of the periodicity coincided with a substantial increase in fishing effort and the oscillations have not reappeared in the time series. The shifting baseline syndrome has changed our perception of not only the status of the stock, but also the regulating pressures. We describe the transition of a naturally regulated lobster population into a heavily exploited fisheries controlled stock. This is shown by the incorporation of environmental and endogenous processes in generalized additive models, autocorrelation functions and periodicity analyses of time-series.

Published in

PLoS ONE
2013, volume: 8, number: 4, article number: e58160
Publisher: Public Library of Science

SLU Authors

• Sundelöf, Andreas

  • Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Bartolino, Valerio

  • Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • University of Gothenburg

• Ulmestrand, Mats

  • Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Cardinale, Massimiliano

  • Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Ecology
Fish and Aquacultural Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0058160

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/42769