Relationships between sea surface temperature, salinity, and pelagic fish distribution off northern Chile

Geographic Information System techniques were used in the analysis of the distribution of three pelagic resources: anchovy, sardine, and jack mackerel. The data were derived from hydroacoustic estimations obtained during four seasonal cruises in 1993-1994 in the region off northern Chile. The spatial distribution of these resources was analysed relative to the surface temperature and salinity distributions, the latter two variables being measured concurrently during these cruises. Results indicated the occurrence of a stratified distribution of the three species together with a high variability in the distribution pattern between cruises. The distribution of the three species was associated with the occurrence and intensity of thermal and haline fronts. (C) 1996 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea