Synchronicity of climate driven regime shifts among the East Asian marginal sea waters and major fish species

Abstract

Aim: Climate regime shift in 1976/77, 1988/89 and 1998 were well detected in different East Asian marginal sea ecosystems. However, information about synchronous pattern of these regime shifts among the ecosystems is limited. Methodology: In this study, synchronicity of regime shifts among major climate patterns was examined in north Pacific, sea water temperatures, and major fish species in north East/Japan Sea, south East/Japan Sea, East China Sea and Yellow Sea. Results: Results suggest that 1976/77 climate regime shift was marked for a long duration period (19701979) among climate indices and sea water temperature. Early positive shifts were detected in sea water temperature of East China Sea (1970) and Yellow Sea (1972). Early positive shifts were detected in walleye pollock, Japanese anchovy and hairtail. In 1988/89 CRS, most climate patterns were shifted within very short time (1987-1989). Positive shifts of sea water temperature in East Asian marginal sea were detected within very short time (1985-1989). Japanese sardine (1983) and walleye pollock (1985) collapsed early. All climate patterns were shifted earlier in 1998 climate regime shift period. Abrupt negative shift was detected in sea water temperature of south East/Japan Sea (1999) and East China Sea (2002). Interpretation: This study will help to project the future scenario of these East Asian marginal sea ecosystems under upcoming climate regime shift in North Pacific.