Recent research reveals that the recruitment success of Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) in the Ross Sea is significantly influenced by sea-ice drift patterns. Conducted through Lagrangian modeling, the study shows that fluctuations in the Amundsen Sea Low, which are connected to tropical sea surface temperatures, modulate sea-ice drift, affecting the buoyant eggs' survival and juvenile recruitment.
During El Niño conditions, a weaker Amundsen Sea Low results in reduced northward sea-ice drift, allowing more eggs to remain in the Ross Gyre, thereby enhancing recruitment success. Conversely, during La Niña conditions, recruitment success diminishes. This research highlights that sea-ice drift accounts for approximately 80% of the interannual variability in recruitment from 1975 to 2016, particularly crucial in the first year post-spawning.
With ongoing climate change potentially intensifying the Amundsen Sea Low, long-term declines in toothfish recruitment in the Ross Gyre region may be anticipated. This study not only sheds light on the life cycle of Antarctic toothfish but also emphasizes the importance of climate dynamics in marine ecosystems.