Biology and fisheries of South African Cape hakes (M. capensis and M. paradoxus)

Abstract

South African coastal waters are extremely productive because the west coast in particular is subjected to periodic seasonal, or in some instances almost all-year-round, wind-induced upwelling (Shannon, 1985; Lutje-harms and Meeuwis, 1987). It is this productivity of the Benguela system that primes the rich fishery for pelagic and demersal fish off the west coast. Off the south and east coasts, which are under the influence of the warm Agulhas Current (Fig. 2.1), upwelling is not so extensive, but it does take place, particularly around capes (Schumann et al., 1982).