The Norwegian coast is populated by two cod populations: Northeast Arctic cod and Norwegian Coastal cod. In this paper, we use a further division based on life history: oceanic cod, coastal cod, and fjord cod. A numerical ocean model was implemented for the northern Norwegian coast where all these populations have spawning areas. The model results were used to simulate connectivity and retention of cod eggs from the different subpopulations. The model reproduced the observed variability and mesoscale activity in the Norwegian Coastal Current. Eggs released at an oceanic spawning area were transported northwards along the coastline. Coastal cod eggs had intermediate connectivity with each other and fjord cod eggs had high local retention. Although the high retention of eggs in fjord areas is mainly caused by a subsurface distribution of eggs, the intermediate retention of eggs from coastal spawning areas is caused by small-scale eddies in-between many small islands. The high-resolution ocean model made it possible to reveal these specific dispersal patterns. The high retention of early life stages in fjords combined with strong homing to spawning areas indicates that fjord subpopulations may be described as a metapopulation.

Previous studies have found strong evidences for Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) egg retention in fjords, which are caused by the combination of vertical salinity structure, estuarine circulation, and egg specific gravity, supporting small-scaled geographical differentiations of local populations. Here, we assess the variability in egg specific gravity for selected local populations of this species, that is, two fjord-spawning populations and one coastal-spawning population from Northern Norway (66–71°N/10–25°E). Eggs were naturally spawned by raised broodstocks (March to April 2009), and egg specific gravity was measured by a density-gradient column. The phenotype of egg specific gravity was similar among the three local populations. However, the associated variability was greater at the individual level than at the population level. The noted gradual decrease in specific gravity from gastrulation to hatching with an increase just before hatching could be a generic pattern in pelagic marine fish eggs. This study provides needed input to adequately understand and model fish egg dispersal.

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