A. Borja et al., RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ANCHOVY (ENGRAULIS-ENCRASICOLUS L) RECRUITMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE BAY OF BISCAY, Scientia marina, 60, 1996, pp. 179-192
Oceanographic conditions in spring and summer, caused by northerly-eas
terly winds of medium and low intensity, in the Bay of Biscay seem to
induce good levels of recruitment to the anchovy population. This wind
regime produces upwelling conditions with, generally, low degrees of
turbulence. Indices of upwelling and turbulence were built and proved
significantly correlated with an index of annual recruitment of anchov
y (p<0.0001). Both physical parameters explain about 70% of the varian
ce in the index of recruitment og the Bay of Biscay anchovy. The likel
y explanations for this relationship are outlined and discussed in the
light of the current hypotheses about the processes determining recru
itment of marine populations. Enhancement of the productivity and incr
eased availability of food to the early life history stages of anchovy
seem to be the main consequence of the prevalence of weak upwelling c
onditions in this area during spring.