Drift routes of Cape hake eggs and larvae in the southern Benguela current system

Abstract

The aim of this study was to combine observed circulation pattern with data on distribution of hake eggs and larvae in the southern Benguela from a survey in September/October 2005 to investigate drift routes of hake eggs and larvae. Genetic information enabled species-specific information about drift routes of the two hake species (Merluccius capensis and M. paradoxus) to be established. The results showed that both species were transported from spawning areas to nursery areas in the jet current, but differential cross-shelf distribution would most likely lead to species-specific drift routes which could explain why the two species seem to have different nursery areas. © The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.