FLUCTUATION IN ABUNDANCE OF LARVAL ANCHOVY AND ENVIRONMENTAL-CONDITIONS IN COASTAL WATERS OFF SOUTH-WESTERN TAIWAN AS ASSOCIATED WITH THE EL-NINO SOUTHERN OSCILLATION

Monthly abundance (CPUE) of larval anchovy in the coastal waters off s outh-western Taiwan from 1980 to 1992 (156 months) fluctuated at inter vals corresponding to the 4.3- and 2.2-year cycles of the southern osc illation index (SOI). Also, CPUE was significantly correlated with sea surface temperature with a time lag of 3 months and nearly significan tly to river flow with a time lag of 4 months, which in turn correlate d with SOI at lags of 13-14 months (crosscorrelation and transfer func tion analyses). The results suggested the presence of linkage between recruitment of the larvae and ENSO episodes, perhaps through oceanogra phic and meteorological conditions that affect coastal upwelling and r iver discharge. The Kuroshio Current; which is the western extension o f the North Equatorial Current; may be one of the important mechanisms of ENSO's teleconnections affecting local climate and fisheries in th e western Pacific region.