ON THE LIFE-HISTORY OF ATRACTOSCION AEQUIDENS, A MIGRATORY SCIAENID OFF THE EAST-COAST OF SOUTHERN AFRICA

East coast geelbek exist as a single stock comprising three distinct a ge/size structured subpopulations. The subadults (1-4 years) occur in the SW Cape, South Africa. They feed principally on anchovy Engraulis capensis, which they follow inshore in summer and offshore in winter. The adults (5-9+ years) undergo a seasonal inshore and longshore migra tion to Natal where they spawn offshore in spring. During this migrati on they feed mainly on the pilchard Sardinops sagax, which also move n orth-eastwards during this time, facilitated by regional oceanographic conditions. 'Adolescent' fish (4/5 years) appear to undergo limited g onadal growth and partially accompany the spawning stock on their migr ation. It is suggested that the eggs, larvae and early juveniles are t ransported southwards by the peripheral inshore waters of the Agulhas Current. Juveniles (<2 years) use the SE Cape region as a nursery area for about 1 year, initially feeding on mysids and then switching to a nchovy, before moving south-westwards to join the subadults in the SW Cape region. (C) 1995 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles