THE ROLE OF THE AGULHAS-BANK IN THE LIFE-CYCLE OF PELAGIC FISH

Features of the demography of the three main commercial pelagic specie s, anchovy Engraulis capensis, pilchard Sardinops sagax and round herr ing Etrumeus whiteheadi, are presented in the form of a review and an update of the available time series of data. Main results published on the distribution, migration and spawning of these species are outline d, emphasis being given to those aspects which take place on the Agulh as Bank. Mechanisms for the transport of eggs and larvae onto the west -coast nursery grounds are reviewed and uncertainties regarding the di stribution and movements of larvae and juveniles, particularly of pilc hard and round herring, are identified.