Shine On

THE SUCCESS OF FLORIDA’S WIDESPREAD FISHERIES is a direct result of the impressive migrations of minuscule baitfish that visit our waters each and every year. The life of a tiny baitfish is a difficult one, and the truth is their purpose is to feed the food chain. Performing an incredible migration for their small stature, Atlantic silverside make an annual pilgrimage from the chilly waters of Nova Scotia to the temperate waters of Florida we are so fond of.

One could walk nearly any beach or shoreline of inshore estuaries along the Eastern Seaboard and witness silversides flashing in the shallows. And while their range covers vast extremes, scientific studies have revealed they are actually quite sensitive to environmental changes including temperature, oxygen levels and contaminants.

In fact, changes in genetics were recorded in populations of Atlantic silversides with-in 40 miles of each other. Some dramatic adaptations include the number of vertebra as well as their maximum growth rate. With data collected from Atlantic silverside populations in 39 locations over their widespread range, it was determined the growth rate of silversides in the northernmost latitudes was the most intense.

While there’s still a lot to learn about much of the ocean’s inhabitants, studying these miniscule baitfish helps scientists learn more about local species adaptation to hopefully improve management of all marine species. It can also help us uncover the effects of a changing environment and how game fish might adapt and weather future climate change.

What’s even more interesting is that silversides are found throughout the entire world. With many species that are nearly impossible to differentiate, classification and identification is difficult, but has been done.