気候変動下におけるニシン個体群構造の時空間動態の評価（HERPOPS）

A key player in ecosystems throughout the north-eastern Atlantic having a complex population structure is the commercially important and highly valued Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus). HERPOPS, based on the use of innovative genomic research, including wild populations with up to 100 years of data, will explore the processes influencing population structure in relation to climate change of herring. A recently established genomic method using population-diagnostic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers will be used to identify the population of origin for individual herring. By applying this genomic method over a large-scale area, both in space and time, this project will obtain completely new and in-depth information about the spatiotemporal distribution of herring populations. Furthermore, HERPOPS will apply environmental DNA (eDNA) analyses to identify small-scale dynamics of spring and autumn spawning herring on a local spawning ground. This will help to answer if spawning type switching is a prevalent trait affecting metapopulation dynamics. HERPOPS aims to take the advantage of the new knowledge to assess the abundance of different populations having

a dynamic mixing. Genomic results will be directly implemented by new novel research on assessment models and future management strategies to secure long-term sustainable exploitation while maintaining intraspecific biodiversity. The project outcomes will have a direct impact on the advisory process for several populations inhabiting the different ecosystems.