This model has been developed to simulate the growth and survival of European sprat (Sprattus sprattus) larvae in the North Sea. The feeding larvae ranged in size from 5.5-20 mm. The encounter rate of larvae with their prey is influenced by factors such as larval reactive distance, prey density, swimming behavior, and turbulence. A cruise predator formulation was utilized for sprat larvae (details provided in Daewel et al. 2008b). The daily food consumption was limited to an upper threshold (Cmax) to prevent overfeeding. The Cmax was derived from an empirical formula (for more information, see Daewel et al. 2008a).

1. Daewel, Ute, Myron A. Peck, and Corinna Schrum. “Life history strategy and impacts of environmental variability on early life stages of two marine fishes in the North Sea: an individual-based modelling approach.” Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 68.3 (2011): 426-443

ute.daewel@hereon.de

myron.peck@nioz.nl

corinna.schrum@hereon.de