Abstract
Atlantic cod has declined severely in several areas, including Swedish waters, during the last two decades. Adequate management of cod require knowledge of the population structure. In a recent study we have investigated the genetic structure among 14 adult and 4 juvenile aggregations and demonstrated the occurrence of local populations along the Skagerrak coast as well as extensive and variable larval transport between offshore and coastal areas. Using microsatellite DNA markers and mitochondrial sequence variation, we propose to address the following issues: 1. The temporal stability of spatially divergent cod populations in Skagerrak and Kattegat. 2. The phylogeography of Atlantic cod throughout its range. 3. The relative contribution of local and off-shore spawners to coastal juvenile aggregations. The results from this study will provide information for the management of cod nationally and within ICES.
Sweden