Long-term discussion on the stocks of the White Sea herring historical perspective and present state

There are a number of White Sea herring (Clupea pallasi marisalbi) stocks which differ with respect to features such as growth rate, spawning time, migrations, and external morphology. Two questions concerning this herring provoke discussion even today: 1) taxonomic status and origin, and 2) population structure. Research on the population structure of White Sea herring started in the 1920s under the strong influence of herring studies by Friedrich Heincke and Johan Hjort, key figures at that time in activities of the International Council for the Exploration of Sea. The first description of White Sea herring was made earlier by Heincke himself. The first concept of White Sea herring population structure developed in the 1920s with the use of methods developed under the ICES umbrella. During subsequent decades, the White Sea herring’s amazing diversity was explained by several concepts ranging from the model of a single population to the concept of polyphiletic origin. However, these concepts have not been confirmed by recent data. Data on chromosomal sets and variation of meristic characters obtained recently make it possible to propose a new concept of White Sea herring population structure.

Article from Marine Science Symposia Vol. 215 - 100 years of science under ICES. To access the remaining articles please click on the keyword "MSS Vol. 215".