Distributions and assemblages of larval fish in the East China Sea during the northeasterly and southwesterly monsoon seasons of 2008

Abstract

A total of 8459 larval fish were collected from the southern East China Sea during the winter northeasterly monsoon season and the summer southwesterly monsoon season of 2008. The larvae comprised 184 species belonging to 105 families and 162 genera. The abundance in terms of CPUE (number of individuals/1000 m3) of the larvae was approximately 6 times higher during the southwesterly monsoon season than it was during the northeasterly monsoon season. The primary environmental factors affecting the larval abundance were water temperature during the northeasterly monsoon season, and food availability during the southwesterly monsoon season. Three larval fish assemblages were recognized: inshore assemblage, offshore assemblage, and summer coastal assemblage. The distribution and species composition of the larvae in the assemblages reflected the hydrographic conditions and water currents resulting from the seasonal monsoons.