The western Sea of Japan stock of yellow sea bream Dentex tumifrons was analysed for stock-recruitment relationship using virtual population analysis. The biomass of spawning females increased from 740 t in 1992 to 1,530 t in 1999, and decreased to 800t in 2008. The spawning biomass again increased thereafter. Recruitment (number of age 1 fish) ranged from 15.4 million in 1993 to 32.3 million in 2000. Recruitment varied with two or three year cycle before 2003. Recruitment in 2004 was secondary minimum and increased simplly after 2005. The Ricker type stock-recruitment model, R^^^=55.0Pe^{-0.000811P}, was derived. An index of year class strength was evaluated from the relative distance from the Ricker curve, RR = (R - R^^^ ) / R^^^ ). Significant positive correlations were observed between RR and sea water temperature at west of the Oki Islands in August to September. It was considered that recruitment success of yellow sea bream may be enhanced by high temperatures in summer-autumn season.
Dentex tumifrons
sea water temperature
virtual population analysis
yellow sea bream