Long-term variations in the age composition and growth rates of the Barents Sea cod (Gadus morhua morhua)

Abstract

Obviously, from among the discussed factors we could single out density as being particularly important. It is likely that the current increase in cod catches is associated with increase in the stock abundance which has badly affected the cod growh rates. Another possible cause of the cod growth slowdown is selectivity of the trawl fishery which primarily captures high growht cod.