An Individual Based Model of Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) early life in Arctic polynyas: I. Simulated growth in relation to hatch date in the Northeast Water (Greenland Sea) and the North Water (Baffin Bay)

►We modeled the observed early growth of Arctic cod larvae in two Arctic polynyas. ►Individual growth was forced by observed temperature and prey density at date. ►High prey density compensated the effect of low temperature on growth and vice-versa. ►Good temperature and feeding conditions at yolk resorption yielded maximum growth. ►Low temporal sampling resolution at sea biases estimates of population growth.