We used to think that larval fish drift passively with the currents. Now we know that larvae steer their way by vertical movement and directional swimming.

Behaviour is a key determinant of growth-, mortality- and dispersal rates in plankton and larval fish. With fine-scaled general circulation models we can see the outcome of different behavioural strategies. Changes on the scale of meters in vertical positioning can, in some places, change their drift trajectories substantially.

Vertical habitat selection is also important for growth (temperature, light and prey availability) and predation risk from fish or plankton. We have proposed three key drivers of larval habitat selection: the local, immediate trade-off between growth and predation risk, the effect habitat selection has on future drift, environmental exposure and settlement area.

Turbulence and light change foraging conditions of larval fish. We collaborate with oceanographers, larval fish ecologists and even theoretical physicists to better understand the life of small fish. We also work on exotic species such as tuna and anchovies.