Volume 59
Nocturnal Depth Distribution of Western North Atlantic Swordfish (Xiphias gladius, Linnaeus, 1758) in Relation to Lunar Illumination
Authors
Loefer, J.K., Sedberry, G.R., Mcgovern, J.C. Download PDF Open PDF in BrowserOther Information
Date: November, 2006
Pages: 615
Event: Proceedings of the Fifty Nine Annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute
City: Belize City
Country: Belize
Abstract
Swordfish are known to undergo large diel vertical movements from surface waters at night to > 300 m depth during the day. Evidence presented over the past several decades suggests the lunar cycle affects these vertical migrations. This study collected data concurrently from 7 swordfish throughout 3 consecutive lunar cycles using pop-up satellite archival tags. All individuals demonstrated an inverse relationship between recorded nocturnal depths and lunar illumination