Environmental factors affecting anchovy Engraulis anchoita reproductive potential in the northern Argentinean Continental Shelf

CEPEDA G; LEONARDUZZI E; TEMPERONI B,; PAJARO M; ORLANDO, P.;

Lisboa

Simposio; International Symposium on Small Pelagic Fish: New Frontiers in Science for Sustainable Management.; 2022

Reproductive parameters and condition of multiple spawners fish can vary temporarily, driven by fluctuations in the environmental features. The relationship between the reproductive potential of Argentine anchovy Engraulis anchoita, based on annual egg production (Po), relative batch fecundity (Fr), and spawning frequency (S), and some environmental drivers: prey density and sea surface temperature in the northern Argentinean Continental Shelf (NACS, 34º-41°S) during the spawning season between 1995 to 2008 were examined. The mean abundance of the key copepod species, gathered in three size categories (small: 2 mm copepods decreasing trend. Both Po and Fr showed positive and almost significative relationship with medium (Po ρ=0.58; Fr ρ=0.57; p=0.1 in both cases) and large-sized (Po ρ=0.62 p=0.08; Fr ρ=0.58; p=0.1) copepods. Strikingly, from 2003 to the latest years of the time-series the smallest copepods significative increased (ρ=0.7; p=0.04). None variable was significative related with sea surface temperature. Results give insight about the bottom-up effect of the feeding environment upon anchovy reproductive potential in the NACS. Despite the shortness of our series, this approach is promising for further exploring the biotic mechanisms setting year class strength in advance of recruitment to the fishery.