Coupled hydrodynamic and habitat suitability models jointly reveal
suitable area for stock enhancement and release of marine organism
larvae in Liaodong Bay
Abstract
Stock enhancement can effectively increase population sustainablility
and improve fishery resources, making it crucial to discern the suitable
habitats for stock enhancement based on efficiency considerations. In
this paper, a comprehensive model was established to simulate
environmental characteristics in the Liaodong Bay. A habitat suitability
model was developed by considering the optimal growth conditions of the
Portunus trituberculatus larvae (PTL). The coupled model showed that the
optimal area for stock-enhancement with PTL occurs in late June, and the
initial suitable habitat area identified represents 17.12% of the whole
Liaodong Bay. Based on the larval migration model of PTL, the deviation
between the larvae and the suitable habitat, as well as the actual
available area for stock enhancement, were further determined after
larval release in the initial suitable habitat. Only 33.67% of the
larvae fulfilled the criteria of remaining within the suitable habitat
for 95% of the time, and these larvae represented 6.19% of the whole
area of Liaodong Bay. These findings means that the truly area available
for stock enhancement is likely to be a very small portion of the entire
bay, and more precise release of larvae will be necessary to ensure
survival rates after release. Our study actually provides a
methodological framework for the identification of suitable environment
of stock enhancement. This methodology can provide technical guidance
for the stock enhancement of marine larvae with same applicability for
other bays, which in turn contributes to the sustainable use of marine
ecosystem services and fisheries resources.