Modelling the effect of food availability on recruitment success of Cape anchovy ichthyoplankton in the southern Benguela upwelling system

Authored by Christophe Lett, V Kone, P Freon

Date Published: 2013

DOI: 10.2989/1814232x.2013.796893

Sponsors: No sponsors listed

Platforms: No platforms listed

Model Documentation: Other Narrative Mathematical description

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

Cape anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus adapted its reproductive strategies to the southern Benguela system by spawning over the Agulhas Bank, an area of low productivity that is located upstream of the predominant upwelling system. Frontal jet currents transport eggs and larvae toward the west coast of South Africa, where recruitment takes place. To characterise the recruitment dynamics of Cape anchovy ichthyoplankton, we used an individual-based model forced by a coupled hydrodynamic-biogeochemical model. The results show the importance of food (especially diatoms and copepods) dynamics on the spatial and temporal patterns of recruitment success, and also confirm the importance of the spawning area, timing and water depth on the recruitment success of Cape anchovy larvae.

Tags

Transport Feeding-behavior Vertical-distribution Pelagic fish eggs Engraulis-encrasicolus larvae Retention processes Agulhas bank Early-life Gilchrist Sardine