Modeling of swordtip squid (<i>Uroteuthis edulis</i>) monthly habitat preference using remote sensing environmental data and climate indices

Abstract

Understanding the spatial arrangement of species in maritime settings necessitates the study of oceanography. Hence, doing a study on the correlation between oceanography and species dispersion is imperative, considering the impacts of global climate change. The study used a generalized additive modeling approach to analyze the influence of oceanographic conditions on the distribution of swordtip squid in northeastern Taiwan, integrating fishing data, climatic oscillation and oceanography. Among seven oceanographic characteristics, bottom sea temperature (SSTB), sea surface height (SSH), sea surface chlorophyll (SSC), and sea surface temperature (SST) showed significant influence in generalized additive model (GAM) analysis (combined deviance explained: 40.30%). The monthly catch rate of swordtip squid is influenced by six climatic oscillations, with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation having the most significant impact, accounting for 31% of the distribution, followed by the North Pacific Gyre Oscillation at 10.8% and the Western Pacific Oscillation at 6.05%. From 2015 to 2019, the main areas for squid fishing were situated in the northeastern waters of Taiwan, precisely within the geographical coordinates of 25 degrees N to 28 degrees N and 121.5 degrees E to 125 degrees E. This study provides crucial insights for managing swordtip squid fisheries in Taiwan's northwest waters, highlighting the importance of incorporating oceanographic conditions relating to climate change information into decision-making to protect global ocean fisheries and their dependent communities.