The structure and temporal stability of the fish community on a coastal bank utilized as a spawning ground by herring

The structure of demersal fish assemblages was analysed on a coastal bank used every year for 6–8 weeks as a spawning ground by spring-spawning herring. Both the species and size composition of the bank assemblages seemed relatively stable throughout the 3-year period of the study, and the strongest variation in species composition occurred along the depth gradient. Despite the strong temporary dominance of herring during the spawning period, neither inter-annual nor seasonal variation in species composition and distribution patterns attributable to the varying presence of herring was found.