Variation in the fecundity and egg weight of herring (Clupea harengus L.). Part II. Implications for hypotheses on the stability of marine fish populations

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Abstract
The possibility that adult populations and egg production are regulated by density-dependent factors acting during the post-recruitment phase is examined in relation to size-specific fecundity and egg weight in populations of herring ( Clupea harengus L.). Significant annual differences are found in the fecundity/length relationship but not in egg weight. The annual differences in fecundity are not obviously related to spawning-stock biomass, but it is argued that this could be because density-dependent factors are obscured in heavily exploited stocks. The findings are discussed in relation to current hypotheses on the mechanisms stabilizing marine fish populations.