Small scale distribution of the White Sea herring larvae (Clupea pallasii marisalbi) in relation to hydrophysical features

Abstract

The small-scale quantitative distribution of herring larvae and the corresponding hydrophysical structure were investigated in three spawning areas of the White Sea in Onega Bay (Uchta inlet) and Kandalaksha Gulf (Chupa and Knyazhaya inlets) from June 17 through 26, 2012. The mean number of herring larvae varied from 1.8 to 2.5 ind/m2 in the Uchta inlet, from 2.8 to 7.1 ind/m2 in the Chupa inlet, and from 59.6 to 162.9 ind/m2 in the Knyazhaya inlet. The strongly pronounced association of herring larvae with coastal areas where hydrophysical fronts play a key role was found. The role of frontal zones in the retention of herring larvae in favorable habitats and preventing their spreading beyond these habitats was revealed. The spatial scale of the larvae retention areas in the White Sea coastal zone can be estimated as tens of km2.