Temporal Variation in Von Bertalanffy Growth Curves and Generation Time of Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence Spring and Fall Spawning Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Examining temporal changes in the growth and generation time of fish species can be valuable for understanding population responses to different management measures environmental conditions. Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) is an ecologically commercially important pelagic forage that occupies southern Gulf St. Lawrence. Here, we developed von Bertalanffy curves estimated yearly values NAFO Division 4TVn years from 1988 2021. The results indicate a reduction both spring fall spawning herring. Over series, spawners reduced by approximately 1 2 years, respectively. Furthermore, average across series (6.23 (95% CI: 5.78–6.85 years)) was year lower than (7.52 (6.82–8.34 years)). Overall, findings this study used better inform stock assessments rebuilding plans highlight importance examining trends more effective stocks.