ZMT - Leibniz Zentrum für Marine Tropenforschung

Abstract: The viability of fisheries is increasingly jeopardized by environmental changes and climate-induced fluctuations. This research examines the distribution and feeding ecology of moonfish (Mene maculata) in the seas off southwestern Taiwan from 2014 to 2020, including fisheries data, species distribution modeling, and trophic ecology evaluations. Generalized Additive Models indicate that climatic oscillations, such as the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, North Pacific Oscillation, and North Pacific Gyre Oscillation, substantially affect moonfish capture rates with a five-year lag. Habitat modeling during the southwest and northeast monsoons reveals seasonal variations in geographical distribution, corresponding with food supply and oceanographic conditions. Climate forecasts for 2034 – 2060 across several emission scenarios indicate westward habitat migrations and possible enhancements in fishing yield rates. An examination of feeding ecology, using stomach content and stable isotope analysis, reveals ontogenetic dietary changes and seasonal fluctuations driven by nutrient availability. These findings provide critical insights into the ecological mechanisms shaping forage fish populations and highlight the broader implications for sustainable fisheries management and climate adaptation strategies in Taiwan.