Correlating SST Satellite Data to the Spatial Distribution of Spawning Aggregations of Argentine Hake (Merluccius hubbsi) in San Matías Gulf, Patagonia, Argentina.Correlating SST Satellite Data to the Spatial Distribution of Spawning Aggregations of Argen

GONZÁLEZ, RAÚL; OCAMPO REINALDO, MATÍAS; SHNEIDER, CRISTIAN; ROMERO, ALEJANDRA; MAGGIONI, MATÍAS; WILLIAMS, GABRIELA; CABRERA, GUSTAVO; NARVARTE, MAITE; .GAGLIARDINI, DOMINGO A.

Venecia

Simposio; The Ocean from the Space; 2010

The relationship between SST data obtained from MODIS sensor and the seasonal (spring) distribution pattern of Argentine hake in the San Matías Gulf basin is analyzed. Hake abundance indexes (CPUE) and temperature in the water column were obtained during a research survey with bottom trawl net. Satellite SST data were validated with in situ (CTD) observations and correlated with hake abundance indexes. Hake abundance showed positive correlation with SST and higher densities of fishes were observed in areas with high water stratification. The distribution pattern of hake in San Matías Gulf during spring months appears related to the existence of a cyclonic gyre and a frontal system which, in combination, would produce favorable conditions to the spawning process of Argentine hake