Occurrence and Distribution of the Eggs and Larvae of Anchovy, Engraulis japonicus, in Jeju Strait, Korea, with Descriptions of Environmental Characteristics

Abstract

The occurrence and distribution of eggs and larvae of anchovy, Engraulis japonicus, in Jeju Strait, Korea from May to November 2002 were investigated, and the relationships between the abundances of anchovy eggs and larvae and the oceanographic conditions, including meteorological data, were analyzed. During the sampling periods, the anchovy eggs occurred from May to October and about 95% of total egg abundance occurred in only two months from July to August, suggesting that the main spawning season of anchovies is confirmed in summer from July and August in Jeju Strait. The spawning area of anchovies gradually moved to the southern part of the survey area with time. The predominant anchovy larvae collected in this study were mostly smaller than 16.0 mm TL. Correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis showed that the anchovy egg abundance in the study area depended strongly on the wind conditions, especially less than 10 m/s, and increasing water temperature. Salinity variations also had significant effects on the abundance of anchovy larvae.