B. Morin et al., SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION, ABUNDANCE, AND LIFE-HISTORY TRAITS OF GREENLAND COD, GADUS-OGAC, AT WEMINDJI, EASTERN JAMES BAY, Canadian journal of zoology, 69(12), 1991, pp. 3061-3070
Greenland cod populations near Wemindji, eastern James Bay, were studi
ed in 1987 and 1988 to describe the species' general ecology and life-
history characteristics. During the summer, they principally occupied
shallow (2-5 m) coastal waters. This habitat was characterized by a be
lt of eelgrass (Zostera marina) at depths of 1-3 m, salinities between
20 and 23 parts per thousand, and temperatures of 3-20-degrees-C. Dai
ly trap catches were highly variable, and more fish were caught at nig
ht than during the day. In winter, more cod were found inshore, in the
estuary, than in coastal waters. This movement corresponds to the com
pletion of sexual maturity; spawning occurs in April to June. Growth r
ate was linear for males and females. The age at maturity was 3 years
and no trade-off was observed between growth and reproduction. Greenla
nd cod spawned every year, and the maximum age was 9 years. Life-histo
ry variables for Greenland cod differ from those of most arctic benthi
c fishes; this species shows rapid growth, high fecundity, low age at
maturity, and high mortality. These characteristics may represent impo
rtant adaptations allowing cod to sustain life in James Bay coastal wa
ters, where environmental conditions are different from those in arcti
c waters.