Lunch Lecture: Distribution, movement, and behavior of inshore and offshore juvenile Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in nearshore waters

In the first lunch lecture of the year, we welcome University Centre of the Westfjords alumni Michelle Valliant. Michelle is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Iceland and is based at the Westfjords Research Centre.

In a changing world, accounting for intraspecific phenotypic variation is essential for effective conservation as variation within species may facilitate adaptation and persistence. Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) exhibits substantial variation in migration and movement among populations and individuals, and maintaining migratory diversity is particularly important for management and conservation. Atlantic cod differ in many ecologically important genes and inhabit distinct environments, occupying contrasting temperature and depth regimes, and in Iceland cod comprises distinct ecotypes—offshore (frontal) and inshore (coastal). However, the development of these ecotypes and migratory strategies during early life remains poorly understood. In partially migratory species, migration decisions arise from interactions between intrinsic (within an individual) and extrinsic (outside influence) factors, highlighting the importance of examining juvenile ecotypes in the context to their site origin. We examined juvenile cod (1-3 year olds) differences in distribution, seasonal migration, timing of departure from nursery grounds, and behaviour. Specifically, using acoustic telemetry, we test whether ecotype, body size or origin of catch influence fjord residency, horizontal and vertical movements, and activity patterns, and whether temperature interacts with ecotype and origin to influence these behaviors. Implications for juvenile cod conservation are discussed.


Michelle Valliant is a doctoral candidate at the University of Iceland, based at the University of Iceland, Research Centre of the Westfjords (Háskóli Íslands, Rannsóknasetur Vestfjarða), researching near-shore fish movement and behavior. Specifically, she is currently focusing her PhD project on using acoustic telemetry as her method to understand how ecology ties with evolutionary genetics of inshore and offshore ecotypes of juvenile (1-3 year old) Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Michelle is a marine biologist with experience across multiple fields of marine and general biology, having worked as a researcher, technician, and public interpreter. Over the past 15 years, she has worked and volunteered on numerous projects in academia, government agencies, and non-profit organizations, holding an undergraduate degree in biology (focus in marine) from Memorial University of Newfoundland and a master’s in resource management from the University Centre of the Westfjords.

Email: miv1@hi.is
Outreach Science Engagement: ICE Fish Research, icefishresearch.com & @icefishresearch

The presentation will take place in the cafeteria at the University Centre of the Westfjords and will start at 12:10. 

https://eu01web.zoom.us/j/67726314466

Meeting ID: 677 2631 4466

The lunch lecture will be held in english