What makes a habitat a home for juvenile fish? Assessing the importance of estuary habitat characteristics for growth and survival of European Sea bas

Most variance in fish stock abundance is generated during early life stages, when juvenile marine fish can experience mortality rates of up to 20% per day - small shifts in mortality rates can generate large changes in spawning stock biomass. In addition these small changes can generate exceptional year-classes which can dominate commercially harvested stocks for several years. Consequently, a better understanding of the factors underpinning the growth and survival of juvenile fishes of commercial importance are critical for improved management of stocks.