Distribution of eggs and larvae of brazilian sardine in the coastal region of Santa Catarina state, Brazil

Abstract

This study evaluated the spatial distribution of eggs and larvae of Brazilian sardine (Sardinella brasiliensis) in the coastal area of the Santa Catarina State/Brazil, between Itapoá (26°S and 48°W) and Laguna (28°S and 48°W) cities. Three surveys were conducted during the sardine spawning season (November/2010, January and March/2011). Sampling occurred in 42 stations, by tripleoblique tows, using a bongo net. Eggs occurred throughout the study area in November, with higher abundance values in the central and north regions, and at northern area in January and March, when it was recorded higher temperatures. Larval abundance were higher in the northern region in November and in the central and northern regions in January and March, coinciding with the intrusion of ACAS water mass on the continental shelf, common at this time of the year. Sardinella brasiliensis spawnings occur mainly in sites close to the coast, and after hatching, a larval drift towards ocean region seems to occur.