The effects of climate-induced environmental variability on Pacific Ocean squids

Abstract

Abstract Climate-induced environmental variability is proving to be a driving factor reshaping the distribution and altering the movement of marine species. However, how Pacific Ocean squids, with their 1-year life span and adaptive abilities, and which support >25% of global squid fisheries, respond to environmental variability is poorly understood. We address this knowledge gap by constructing spatio–temporal models for two squid species in three fishing grounds (Ommastrephes bartramii in the northwest Pacific Ocean and Dosidicus gigas in the eastern Pacific Ocean) using generalized additive mixed models based on data from digitized Chinese squid-jigging logbooks for 2005–2017. The relationships between environmental variables and local abundance of squids reflected by environmental and traditional spatial response curves track changes in climate. The peaks and troughs in squid biomass coincide with La Niña and El Niño events, but are moderate in contrast to the effects of directional climate-induced environmental variability. We find substantial poleward shifts by squids inhabiting low and middle latitudes. These findings have broad implications for food security and open ocean ecosystem dynamics.