Investigating Atlantic Cod Stocks of the Eastern Coast

Description

Understanding stock structure is essential to successful fisheries management. Despite the profound commercial value and cultural significance of Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) fisheries, few improvements have been made to update the stock delineation at a micro-scale. However, recent advances in genomic research have made fine-scale spatial analysis of cod stocks, populations, and sub-populations possible.

This project aims to help solve the stock structure issue, which was identified as one of the important factors involved in cod fishery management and stock recovery in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean in both Canada and the United States. Deep sequencing and genomic analysis of samples collected along the coastlines of Canada and U.S. will establish a comprehensive genomics reference library of western stocks. Examples of key locations to be analyzed include Gulf of St. Lawrence and the broader Gulf of Maine area in Canada and U.S.

The Atlantic Cod genomics reference library will serve as baseline data to aid researchers in the analysis of population structure and improve their understanding of the shifting spatial dynamics that may be in response to fishing pressure or to changing environmental conditions. The genetic connectivity at the Canada/U.S. boundary, and of the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence with adjacent zones will be assessed using these newly discovered markers. Thus, generating detailed genomic data in this way will aid in providing science advice to support management decisions affecting Atlantic Cod fisheries.

The project will consist of two main phases:

1. Complete development of genetic markers of Atlantic Cod to create a reference baseline. This will lead into characterizing populations by sampling vital spawning areas along the Canada/U.S. Atlantic coastline.
2. Assess the population structure and connectivity at both the Canada/U.S. boundary, and within the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence; two primary regions of concern for the Atlantic Cod.

The recovery of a fishery as influential as the Atlantic Cod will affect the livelihood of hundreds of communities on the Atlantic coast. The data collected from this research will help to establish a sustainable harvest and create a baseline for similar projects to be conducted on other aquatic species that are critical to Canada’s economy.

Scientific title for this project: Investigating population structure and connectivity of Atlantic Cod in the western Atlantic using next generation sequencing.

Program Name

Genomics Research and Development Initiative (GRDI)

Years

2017 - 2019

Principal Investigators

Geneviève Parent
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Maurice-Lamontagne Institute

Yanjun Wang
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, St. Andrews Biological Station