INFLUENCE OF THE LEEUWIN CURRENT ON RECRUITMENT OF TROPICAL REEF FISHES AT ROTTNEST ISLAND, WESTERN-AUSTRALIA

The appearance of recently settled juveniles of tropical reef fishes a t Rottnest Island (32-degrees-S) in autumn is examined in relation to the oceanic circulation off Western Australia. The arrival of the larv ae in March and April coincides with the strengthening of the Leeuwin Current, a southward flow of warm tropical water, at that time. Satell ite images are used to indicate that tongues of warm water from the Le euwin Current can cross the shelf and reach Rottnest Island just befor e recruitment commences. This is discussed in terms of a conceptual mo del of transport of the larvae in the current.