DISTRIBUTION AND TIMING OF SPAWNING BY THE AUSTRALIAN PILCHARD (SARDINOPS-SAGAX-NEOPILCHARDUS) OFF ALBANY, WESTERN-AUSTRALIA

The pattern of abundance of eggs and larvae of the Australian pilchard , Sardinops sagax neopilchardus, collected by plankton tows in the reg ion off Albany, Western Australia, was investigated. In 1989, surface tows were undertaken at five localities extending from the marine emba yment of Princess Royal Harbour to the continental shelf just outside King George Sound. In 1990, oblique tows were undertaken at six locali ties extending from just inside King George Sound to beyond the edge o f the continental shelf. Eggs and larvae of pilchards were found in ma ny months, but peaks in egg numbers were found in July and December of both 1989 and 1990. There was, however, only one peak in larva abunda nce, during December. Most eggs and larvae were found in the region 2- 8 km offshore from the entrance to King George Sound. Few were found e ither well inside King George Sound and Princess Royal Harbour or in o uter-shelf localities. Spawning in the Albany region therefore occurre d inshore of the main influence of the eastward-flowing tropical water s of the Leeuwin Current. The implications of this spawning activity i n relation to the fishery for this species and the potential for stock separation along this coast are discussed.