Why do we still fish in spawning season?

Spawning success depends on a range of environmental factors ranging from the weather to water temperature or even just the currents. These factors can hugely influence the spawning success. Research indicates a season with warmer waters may increase the survival of these eggs and juvenile snapper by 10-20 times.

Because of the varied success, fish have developed a breeding strategy that depends on these environmental conditions, rather than the overall number of breeding adults. This strategy involves releasing far more eggs into the water column than necessary, over an extended period, to ensure some juveniles find just the right environmental and forage conditions.

So how much of an effect does fishing have on this spawning success? Despite there being a lack of research on this topic, it appears likely to be minimal compared to the pressures from the environment.

Despite there being a lack of research on this topic, it appears likely to be minimal compared to the pressures from the environment.

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