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European lobster Homarus gammarus (Linnaeus, 1758) in the eastern Adriatic Sea: Effects of sea bottom temperature on CPUE

Climate change is affecting spatial distribution of lobster species and landings as a consequence. Effects of sea warming have already been documented in lobster species worldwide. The study describes recent changes (2008-2017) in the landing biomass, fishing effort and catch per unit effort CPUE (kg/day) data of European lobster Homarus gammarus in the eastern Adriatic Sea and links them to sea bottom temperatures measured at long-term in situ stations. Ocean numerical model (ROMS, Regional Ocean Modelling System) results were taken to quantify spatial and temporal differences between different fishing zones. For the northern and central Adriatic Sea, relationship between winter and spring sea bottom temperatures and CPUE data of H. gammarus were tested by correlation analysis. Positive and statistically significant trends of sea bottom temperature were observed between stations. For the northern Adriatic, trends of landing, effort and CPUE were positive and significant, while trends for central Adriatic Sea were insignificant. Correlation analysis between winter and spring sea bottom temperatures and CPUE data of H. gammarus revealed statistically significant relationship for both northern and central Adriatic Sea. Sea temperature is one of the most important environmental factors affecting the fluctuations of lobster abundance. Aside the more pronounced higher variability of summer sea bottom temperatures, northern Adriatic provides more favourable environmental conditions for boreal H. gammarus. Rising of sea temperatures have resulted in greater lobster mobility and thus its availability to fishing, which is reflected consequently in higher landings and CPUE. Temperature changes observed in this study reflect regional changes of climate system, and as a result, lobster management strategies will need to be changed and updated in the future.

CPUE ; landings ; Homarus gammarus ; northern Adriatic Sea ; climate change

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