Study of the spawning area of the Northern anchovy in the Gulf of California from 1990 to 1994, using satellite images of sea surface temperatures

Abstract

The influence of the water temperature on the distribution and abundance of eggs of the Northern anchovy in the Gulf of California was analyzed. Data on sea surface temperatures (SST) were combined with the analyses of patterns of eggs of plankton collected on the five cruises carried out from 1990 through 1994, during the spawning season of the Northern anchovy. The principal spawning area of this species is between the northern point of Angel de la Guarda Island and -30 miles south of Tiburon Island, and the whole breadth of the Gulf of California. On the western coast of California, the Northern anchovy spawn in water temperatures between 11.5 and 17°C, while in the Gulf of California, they prefer to spawn in water temperatures between 15 and 17°C. From the satellite images, one could relate the patterns of water masses and temperature fronts to the distri- bution and abundance of anchovy eggs, as well as know their interannual variability.