Lagrangian coherent structure analysis on transport of Acetes chinensis along coast of Lianyungang, China.

Spatial heterogeneity or "patchiness" of plankton distributions in the ocean has always been an attractive and challenging scientific issue to oceanographers. We focused on the accumulation and dynamic mechanism of the Acetes chinensis in the Lianyungang nearshore licensed fishing area. The Lagrangian frame approaches including the Lagrangian coherent structures theory, Lagrangian residual current, and Lagrangian particle-tracking model were applied to find the transport pathways and aggregation characteristics of Acetes chinensis. There exist some material transport pathways for Acetes chinensis passing through the licensed fishing area, and Acetes chinensis is easy to accumulate in the licensed fishing area. The main mechanism forming this distribution pattern is the local circulation induced by the nonlinear interaction of topography and tidal flow. Both the Lagrangian coherent structure analysis and the particle trajectory tracking indicate that Acetes chinensis in the licensed fishing area come from the nearshore estuary. This work contributed to the adjustment of licensed fishing area and the efficient utilization of fishery resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]