Work

Variability of Autumn Tropical Pacific Yellowfin Tuna Tied to the Spring North Atlantic Tripole

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Climate change affects the spatial distribution and abundance of yellowfin tuna ( Thunnus albacares , YFT) in the tropical Pacific, yet the mechanisms linking remote climate modes to YFT dynamics remain unclear. This study finds that the variability of autumn tropical Pacific YFT is tied to the spring sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) of the North Atlantic Tripole (NAT), mediated by the Victoria Mode (VM), the second dominant mode of North Pacific SSTAs variability. The result shows that the spring NAT is significantly positive correlated with the subsequent autumn tropical Pacific YFT catch per unit effort (CPUE). The spring NAT triggers eastward‐propagating Rossby waves, inducing VM‐like SSTAs in the North Pacific. These anomalies modify YFT habitat conditions in the tropical Pacific through coupled oceanic‐atmospheric bridge (COAB) mechanism, ultimately affecting autumn CPUE. This study unveils a teleconnection‐driven mechanism influencing tropical Pacific YFT CPUE, with important implications for fisheries management and forecasting.

Source: Geophysical Research Letters

DOI: 10.1029/2024gl114459

Authors: Gongjun Zhang, Jianping Li

Institutions: Ocean University of China, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Marine and fisheries research

Subfield: Global and Planetary Change

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life below water

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,190