Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

0-group flatfish growth conditions on a nursery ground (Bay of Canche, Eastern English Channel)

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The settlement and growth conditions of three 0-group flatfish species, sole (Solea solea L.), plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) and dab (Limanda limanda L.) in the Bay of Canche, French coast of the Eastern English Channel, were investigated during summer 1997. 0-group dab were the more abundant of the three species (75.4%) followed by plaice (21%) and sole (3.6%). Analyses of fish size distribution indicated that settlement of plaice occurred before sole and dab. Growth of sole was faster than that of plaice, which in turn was faster than that of dab (0.68, 0.43 and 0.33 mm d−1 respectively). Sole differed from plaice and dab by their larger mean length attained at the end of their first summer stay in the nursery ground. Growth performances of 0-group sole and plaice were analysed by comparing estimated growth in the field with predicted maximum growth according to temperature-growth rate models from experimental studies of growth with unlimited food supply. The data of this study suggest that plaice growth may have been limited during late summer, whereas sole growth does appear to have been determined only by water temperature.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amara, R., 2002. Localisation et diagnostic de l'état de santé des nourriceries d'espèces d'intérêt halieutique en Manche Orientale. Contrat MATE, Rapport ULCO, 130 pp.

  • Amara, R., 2003. Seasonal ichthyodiversity and growth patterns of juvenile flatfish on a nursery ground in the southern bight of the North Sea (France). Environmental Biology of Fishes 67: 191–201.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amara, R. & C. Paul, 2003. Seasonal patterns in the fish and epibenthic crustaceans community of an intertidal zone with particular reference to the population dynamics of plaice and brown shrimp. Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science 56: 1–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amara, R., P. Laffargue, J. M. Dewarumez, C. Maryniak., F. Lagardère & C. Luczac, 2001. Feeding ecology and growth of 0-group flatfishes (sole, dab and plaice) at a nursery ground on the southern North Sea. Journal of Fish Biology 58: 788–803.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berghahn, R., K. Ludemann & M. Ruth, 1995. Differences in individual growth of newly settled O-group plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) in the intertidal of neighbouring Wadden Sea areas. Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 34: 131–138.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beyst, B., A. Cattrijsse & M. Mees, 1999. Feeding ecology of juvenile flatfishes of the surf zone of a sandy beach. Journal of Fish Biology 55: 1171–1186.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beyst, B., K. Hostens & J. Mees, 2001. Factors influencing fish and macrocrustacean communities in the surf zone of sandy beaches in Belgium: temporal variation. Journal of Sea Research 46: 281–294.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolle, L. J., R. Dapper, J. I. J. Witte & H. W. Van der Veer, 1994. Nursery ground of dab (Limanda limanda L.) in the southern North Sea. Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 32: 299–307.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brett, J. R., 1979. Environmental factors and growth. In Hoar, W. S., D. J., Randall & J. R. Brett (eds), Fish Physiology 8. Bioenergetics and Growth. Academic Press, New York: 599–677.

    Google Scholar 

  • Daan, N., P. J. Bromley, J. R. G. Hislop & N. A. Nielsen, 1990. Ecology of North Sea fish. Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 26: 343–386.

    Google Scholar 

  • Desroy, N., C. Warembourg, J. M. Dewarumez & J. C. Dauvin, 2003. Macrobenthic resources of the shallow soft-bottom sediments in the eastern English Channel and southern North Sea. ICES Journal of Marine Sciences 60: 120–131.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fonds, M., 1979. A seasonal fluctuation in growth rate of young plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) and sole (Solea solea) in the laboratory at constant temperatures and a natural daylight cycle. In Naylor, E. & R. G., Hartnoll (eds), Cyclic Phenomena in Marine Plants and Animals. Pergamon Press, London: 151–156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fonds, M., R. Cronie, A. D. Vethaak & P. Van Der Puyl, 1992. Metabolism, food consumption and growth of plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) and flounder (Platichthys flesus) in relation to fish size and temperature. Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 29: 127–143.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuiman, L. A., 1994. The interplay of ontogeny and scaling in the interactions of fish larvae and their predators. Journal of Fish Biology 4: 145–183.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glazenburg, B., 1983. Een experimenteel onderzoek naar de groei van 0-groep schol en bot in relatie tot de watertemperatuur. Internal reports NIOZ 1983, 5: 1–19 (in Dutch).

    Google Scholar 

  • Grioche, A., P. Koubbi & X. Harley, 1999. Spatial patterns of ichthyoplankton assemblages along the Eastern English Channel French coast during spring. Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science 49: 141–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henderson, P. A., R. H. A. Holmes & R. N. Bamber, 1988. Size-selective overwintering mortality in the sand smelt, Antherina boyeri Risso, and its role in population regulation. Journal of Fish Biology 33: 221–233.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hjörleifsson, E. & J. Palsson, 2001. Settlement, growth and mortality of 0-group plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) in Icelandic waters. Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 45: 321–324.

    Google Scholar 

  • Houghton, R. G. & D. Harding, 1976. The plaice of the English Channel: spawning and migration. Journal du Conseil International pour l'Exploration de la Mer 36: 229–239.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howell, B. R., 1997. A re-appraisal of the potential of the sole, Solea solea (L.), for commercial cultivation. Aquaculture 155: 355–365.

    Google Scholar 

  • Irvin, D. N., 1973. The growth and survival of Dover sole, Solea solea (L.) (syn. Solea vulgaris Quensel 1806), and some observations on the growth and survival of juvenile plaice, Pleuronectes platessa L., considered at various temperatures. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Liverpool, U.K., 186 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jager, Z., H. L. Kleff & P. Tydeman, 1995. Mortality and growth of 0-group flatfish in the brackish Dollard (Ems estuary, Wadden Sea). Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 34: 119–129.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karakiri, M., R. Berghahn & H. W. Van der Veer, 1991. Variations in settlement and growth of 0-group plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) in the Dutch Wadden Sea as determined by otolith microstructure analysis. Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 27: 345–351.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leggett, W. C. & E. DeBlois, 1994. Recruitment in marine fishes: is it regulated by starvation and predation in the eggs and larval stages. Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 32: 119–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mo, G. F., 1991. Responses of Solea solea to sand. MSc thesis. University College of North Wales, 60 pp.

  • Modin, J. & L. Phil, 1994. Differences in growth and mortality of juvenile plaice, Pleuronectes platessa L., following normal and extremely high settlement. Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 32: 331–341.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nash, R. D. M. & A. J. Geffen, 2000. The influence of nursery ground processes in the determination of year-class strength in juvenile plaice Pleuronectes platessa L. in Port Erin Bay, Irish Sea. Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 44: 101–110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nash, R. D. M., A. J. Geffen & G. Hughes, 1994. Individual growth of juvenile plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) on a small Irish Sea nursery ground (Port Erin Bay, Isle of Man, UK). Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 32: 369–378.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pihl, L., 1990. Year-class strength regulation in plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) on the Swedish west coast. Hydrobiologia 195: 79–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phil, L., 1989. Abundance, biomass and production of juvenile flatfish in southeastern Kattegat. Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 24: 69–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pihl, L., J. Modin & H. Wennhage, 2000. Spatial distribution patterns of newly settled plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) along the Swedish Skagerrak archipelago. Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 44: 65–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poxton, M. G., A. Eleftheriou & A. D. McIntyre, 1983. The food and growth of 0-group flatfish on nursery grounds in the Clydes Sea area. Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Sciences 17: 319–337.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramos, J. & S. Rouros, 1985. Growth of sole, Solea solea (Linne, 1758) under intensive conditions. Informes Técnicos del Instituto de Investgaciones Pesqueras 121: 12 pp.

  • Rijnsdorp A. D., F. A. Van Beek Flatman, R.M. Millner, J. D. Riley, M. Giret & R. De Clerck, 1992. Recruitment of sole stocks, Solea solea (L.) in the northeast Atlantic. Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 29: 173–192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Riou, P., O. LePape & S. I. Rogers, 2001. Relative contributions of different sole and plaice nurseries to the adult population in the Eastern Channel: application of a combined method using generalized linear models and a geographic information system. Aquatic Living Resources 14: 125–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, S. I., 1994. Species composition and production of sole, Solea solea L., in a flatfish nursery ground on the North Wales coast, UK. Aquaculture and Fisheries Managements 25: 161–177.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, S. I., A. D. Rijnsdorp, U. Damm & W. Wanhee, 1998. Demersal fish populations in the coastal waters of the UK and continental NW Europe from beam trawl survey data from 1990 to 1995. Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 39: 79–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Riley, J. D., D. J. Symonds & L.Woolner, 1981. On the factors influencing the distribution of 0-group demersal fish in coastal waters. Rapports et procès Verbaux des Réunions, Conseil Permanent International pour l'Exploration de la Mer 178: 223–228.

    Google Scholar 

  • Russell, F. S., 1976. The Eggs and Planktonic Stages of British Marine Fishes. Academic Press, London, 524 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Veer, H. W. & J. I. J. Witte, 1993. The 'maximum growth/optimal food condition' hypothesis: a test for O-group plaice Pleuronectes platessa in the Dutch Wadden Sea. Marine Ecology Progress Series 101: 81–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Veer, H.W., L. Pihl & M. J. N. Bergman, 1990. Recruitment mechanisms in North Sea plaice Pleuronectes platessa. Marine Ecology Progress Series 64: 1–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Veer, H. W., M. J. N. Bergman, R. Dapper & J. I. J. Witte, 1991. Population dynamics of an intertidal 0-group flounder Platichthys flesus population in the western Dutch Wadden Sea. Marine Ecology Progress Series 73: 141–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Veer, H. W., R. Berghahn & A. D. Rijnsdorp, 1994. Impact of juvenile growth on recruitment in flatfish. Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 32: 153–173.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Veer, H. W., R. Berghahn., J. Miller & A. D. Rijnsdorp, 2000. Recruitment in flatfish, with special emphasis on North Atlantic species: progress made by the Flatfish Symposia. ICES Journal of marine Sciences 57: 202–215.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Veer, H. W., R. Dapper & J. I. J. Witte, 2001. The nursery function of the intertidal areas in the western Wadden Sea for 0-group sole Solea solea (L.). Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 45: 271–279.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Université du littoral-C^ote d'Opale, UMR 8013 CNRS ELICO, Avenue Foch, F-62930, Wimereux, France

    R. Amara

Authors
  1. R. Amara
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Amara, R. 0-group flatfish growth conditions on a nursery ground (Bay of Canche, Eastern English Channel). Hydrobiologia 518, 23–32 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:HYDR.0000025053.62966.cd

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:HYDR.0000025053.62966.cd

Search

Navigation