Caracterización ambiental y biológica del Golfo San Matías (Argentina) mediante información AVHRR, SeaWiFs y campañas de evaluación pesquera.

WILLIAMS, GABRIELA NOEMÍ; OCAMPO REINALDO, MATÍAS; OSOVNIKAR, PAUL; SAPOZNIK, MARYSOL; NARVARTE, MAITE; GONZÁLEZ, RAÚL; GAGLIARDINI, DOMINGO ANTONIO

Mar del Plata, 19 al 21 de setiembre

Congreso; Congreso de la Asociación Española de Teledetección; 2007

Asociación Española de Teledetección

San Matías Gulf, located between 40º 47´S and 42º 13´ S on the Atlantic coast of South America, is characterized by the presence of a termohaline front that divides it in the North and South zones during spring summer months, and by a rich composition of marine species. Superficial temperature and chlorophyll-a maps from AVHRR and SeaWiFs images, were analyzed respectively; along with distribution and abundance data of common hake (Merluccius hubbsi) in 2000-2006.The results showed that this front separates both zones, presenting lower temperature and greater concentration of chlorophyll a at the South zone. Gulfs North zone constitutes the main area of egg-laying of common hake and the persistence of the front would contribute to the formation of a larvae retention area.It was observed, that the operational area of the trawling fleet coincided with fronts location.Therefore it is inferred that environmental conditions of San Matías Gulf could be conditioning the spatial distribution of common hake.Key Words: San Matias Gulf, termohaline front, common hake.