Spatio-temporal variability in fecundity and atresia of Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus L.) population in Icelandic waters

Biological data were retrieved from 374 female Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus) collected from 2001-2006 at A. lupus main spawning grounds in Iceland and at two other locations with different sea temperature regimes to investigate spatial and temporal difference in fecundity and indications of atresia. There was no spatial difference in fecundity but temporal difference was found, and fecundity decreased in time, clearly indicating the presence of atresia. A. lupus that was 57 cm long was 11% more fecund in the year 2003 than in 2005. Egg numbers decreased about 20% from June to October for 67 cm long A. lupus. There was a positive relationship between fecundity and condition of the fish.