Change in growth rate of Baltic herring (Clupea harengus membras L.) in Lithuanian Exclusive Economic Zone (LEEZ) of the Baltic Sea

High temporal and spatial variability of environment in Baltic Sea was the crucial for formation of different herring stocks isolated from each other. Nowadays, herring in the Baltic Sea is divided into two seasonal races or populations — spring spawning and autumn spawning. The mixture of herring from coastal area (the most abundant in Southern and Southeast Baltic) and open sea areas (spread out in Central and Northern parts of the Baltic) is common in Lithuanian marine waters. The aim of the present study was to analyze variability of growth parameters of herring caught within LEEZ over the period of 1979–2011.