Relationship between the larval catch and egg production of Japanese anchovy, Engraulis japonicus, in the western inshore waters off Kii Peninsula

Abstract

The relationships between the larval catch and egg production of Japanese anchovy, Engraulis japonicus, in the western inshore waters off Kii Peninsula were examined, and the supply source of anchovy larvae was discussed. We conducted correlation analyses of the data of catches and egg production over 14 years from 1991 to 2004. We divided the western inshore waters off Kii Peninsula into the northern (inner) area and the southern (outer) area. The inner catch in spring had positive correlations with the egg production of the outer area. The inner catch in summer had a positive correlation with the egg production of the inner area. The outer catch had no correlation with the egg production except for a partial case. These results show that the supply source of anchovy larvae in the inner area changes from the outer area side to inner area side during the period from May to June. It can be concluded that the catch of the inner area has a strong relationship with egg production, but that of the outer area is influenced by oceanic conditions rather than egg production.