This paper reviews two studies discussing density-dependent growth using Japanese sardine data. However, the results and interpretation of these two papers indicate inconsistencies and conflict with each other. This study shows that the length of sardines in year t can be explained by the values of the three-year moving average of reproductive success in year t - 3. This indicates that the existing density-dependent growth of sardines is questionable and that environmental conditions determine the growth of fish.
Cite this paper
Sakuramoto, K. (2023). Does the Density-Dependent Growth of Sardine Truly Exist?. Open Access Library Journal, 10, e9514. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1109514.
Kamimura, Y., Tadokoro, K., Furuichi, S. and Yukami, R. (2022) Stronger Density-Dependent Growth of Japanese Sardine with Lower Food Availability: 3 Comparison of Growth and Zooplankton Biomass between a Historical and Current Stock4 Increase Period in the Western North Pacific. Fisheries Research, 255, 106461.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2022.106461
Wada, T. and Kashiwai, M. (1991) Feeding Ground Selection of Japanese Sardine with 582 Stock Fluctuation. Bull. Hokkaido Reg. Fisheries Research Institute, 55, 197-204.
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Sakuramoto, K. (2015) A Stock-Recruitment Relationship Applicable to Pacific Bluefin Tuna and the Pacific Stock of Japanese Sardine. American Journal of Climate Change, 4, 446-460. https://doi.org/10.4236/ajcc.2015.45036
Sakuramoto, K. (2013) A Recruitment Forecasting Model for the Pacific Stock of the Japanese Sardine (Sardinops melanostictus) That Does Not Assume Density-Dependent Effects. Agricultural Sciences, 4, 1-8.
https://doi.org/10.4236/as.2013.46A001
Sakuramoto, K. (2016) A Simulation Model of the Spawning Stock Biomass of Pacific Bluefin Tuna and Evaluation of Fisheries Regulations. American Journal of Climate Change, 5, 245-260. https://doi.org/10.4236/ajcc.2016.52021
Sakuramoto, K. (2021) Reproductive Success in Fish Stocks Can Be Reproduced by Environmental Factors Alone. Open Access Library Journal, 8, e7636.
https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1107636
Sakuramoto, K. (2021) A Model That Forecasts Future Values of Reproductive Success for the Pacific Stock of Splendid Alfonsino. Open Access Library Journal, 8, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1108213
Sakuramoto, K. (2012) A New Concept of the Stock-Recruitment Relationship for the Japanese Sardine, Sardinops Melanostictus. The Open Fish Science Journal, 5, 60-69. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874401X01205010060
Sakuramoto, K. and Suzuki, N. (2012) Effect of Process and/or Observation Errors on the Stock-Recruitment Curve and the Validity of the Proportional Model as a Stock-Recruitment Relationship. Fisheries Science, 78, 41-54.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12562-011-0438-4
Sakuramoto, K. (2014) A Common Concept of Population Dynamics Applicable to Both Thrips imaginis (Thysanoptera) and the Pacific Stock of the Japanese Sardine (Sardinops melanostictus). Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 4, 140-151.
https://www.longdom.org/open-access/a-common-concept-of-population-dynamics-applicable-to-both-thrips-2150-3508.1000085.pdf