Vertical Distribution and Movements of Larval Redfishes (Sebastes spp.) in the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence

T. J. Kenchington

Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Marine Fish Division,
Bedford Institute of Oceanography
P. O. Box 1006, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada B2Y 4A2

Source - Journal of Northwest Atlantic Fishery Science, Volume 11: 43-49
ISSN-0250-6408

 

Kenchington, T.J. 1991. Vertical Distribution and Movements of Larval Redfishes (Sebastes spp.) in the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. J. Northw. Atl. Fish. Sci. 11: 43-49. https://doi.org/10.2960/J.v11.a5

 

The vertical distribution of larval redfishes (Sebastes spp.) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in May is described, based on published survey data. In daylight, the larvae are most abundant between 11 and 30 m depth but are not very concentrated with depth and are taken from the surface to at least 180 m depth. At night, their depth mode rises to the uppermost 10 m; a highly significant change in vertical distribution. This pattern contrasts with that found by a previous study in the Gulf of Maine where the larvae appeared to be highly concentrated at certain depths but showed no diel migration. Possible reasons for these differences include the sizes of larvae caught, hydrographic conditions and the species composition of the redfishes in the two areas. Based on these results, it is proposed that surveys for the abundance or geographic distribution of redfish larvae should use oblique, rather than horizontal tows.

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Language - English
Publisher - Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO), Dartmouth, N.S., Canada
Publication Date - February 1991
Publication Type - Journal Article

Citation: Kenchington, T.J. 1991. Vertical Distribution and Movements of Larval Redfishes (Sebastes spp.) in the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. J. Northw. Atl. Fish. Sci. 11: 43-49. https://doi.org/10.2960/J.v11.a5