Title:

Assessing movement and feeding of Atlantic cod in relation to environmental conditions and measures of marine biodiversity

Atlantic cod are among the most studied animals in the world, yet many aspects of their life histories remain unknown. Using acoustic telemetry, stomach contents analyses, and different metrics of biodiversity (environmental DNA, passive and active acoustics) this study investigates how Atlantic cod diets and movements in the Gulf of Maine relate to environmental conditions and larger-scale marine biodiversity. To investigate movements, this study deployed two 12-receiver arrays in coastal waters in New Hampshire and Maine from June to December 2023. 70 Atlantic cod, ranging in size from 0.1 – 5.6kg and 223 – 767mm total length, were tagged (32 in NH, 38 in ME) during the 2023 field season. Additionally, over 50 cod stomach contents were collected from each field site. Preliminary results show that tagged Atlantic cod displayed an unexpectedly high degree of site fidelity, staying within range of a single receiver for much of the tracking period. However, movement between receivers increased for several high site fidelity cod in the late fall and early winter. This study is unique in that it is part of a broader, multi-species study assessing ecosystem dynamics in the Gulf of Maine through measures of movement, diet and biodiversity, involving the active participation of a diverse stakeholder group. Ultimately, this study aims to help inform the science, monitoring and management of Atlantic cod both through a better understanding of cod responses to abiotic and biotic environmental factors as well as the applicability and scalability of the tools used in this study.

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