The islands Holmoarna in the Bothnian Sea, Kvadofjarden and Torhamn in the Baltic Sea and Fjallbacka in the Skagerrak.

Fish morphology, age and physiology; Fish taxonomy-related abundance per unit area of the bed

Within the National Monitoring Programme yearly investigations are carried out in three reference areas (see also 'Referensomraden' och' COBRA'); Holmoarna in the Northern Quark, Kvadofjarden in the Baltic Sea and Fjallbacka in the Skagerrak. Investigations in a fourth area in the southern Baltic Sea started in 2002. The aim of the programme is to follow up the natural variations in stock development, species composition, abundance and age class strength for the coastal fishery in areas not influenced by human activities. The main focus is on fish, but it also includes hydrography and soft bottom fauna. Eelpout is found along large parts of the Swedish coast. The species is stationary and therefore suitable for control of the effects of environmental toxins. Fishing for eelpout takes place in late autumn. Abundance and reproductivity are studied. Pregnant females are also investigated. Fecundity, fry growth, fry surveillance and fry deformities are analyzed on live baring females. The programme is financed by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and is performed in cooperation with the Museum of Natural History. Gothenburg University performs biochemical and physiological studies on perch and eelpout, and samples from perch and eelpout are used for the Museum's Monitoring Programme. The results are displayed yearly in the reports from the marine centres in Umea, Stockholm and Gothenburg. See also Swedish National Environment Contaminant Monitoring for Eelpout, Viviparous Blenny (1988-).

Fiskeriverket (1996) Metoder for overvakning av kustfiskbestand, Kustrapport 1996:3

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Arrheniusplan 4
Uppsala

750 07
Sweden