Spawning of anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus in the northwestern Mediterranean relative to hydrographic features in the region

Abstract

Furnishes conclusive evidence for latitudinal differences in the duration of anchovy spawning related to temperature cycle and hydrographic features: main spawning areas were found off northern and off southern Catalonia. Total egg production was similar in the two spawning areas and even somewhat higher in the northern area, where the spawning cycle was shorter (c2 mo). Areas of highest egg abundance were 10-30 miles from the coast, spanning a range of bottom depths from 50-1000 m. The presence of a shelf-slope front of variable intensity running along the entire coast suggests that anchovy take advantage of the productivity associated with the front for reproductive purposes. -from Author