156 



FISHERY BULLETIN OF THE FISH AND "WILDLIFE SERVICE 



I JU- A(JG SEP OCT NOV DEC I JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP I 



1958 



Figure 6. — Seasonal and latitudinal vai iation in ovary de- 

 velopment, central South Pacific Ocean (130° W.-160° 

 E.). (The percentage of late developing and advanced 

 ovaries and the sample number are shown for each 

 month.) 



Unfortunately, the data are not as complete as 

 desired. For example, no samples were obtained 

 from the southernmost area during the period be- 

 tween November and March, which includes the 

 apparent peak spawning season in the South Pa- 

 cific. During these months the vessels seem to 

 have confined their activities to the waters north 

 of 20° S. latitude, either because inclement weath- 



Tablb 3. — Seasonal and longitudinal variation in ovary 

 development, central South Pacific Ocean (0°-30° S. 

 latitude) 



Date 



1957 



July 



August 



September- 

 October. -- 

 November- 

 December. 



19B8 



January- -- 

 February,_ 



March 



April 



May- 



June 



July 



August 



September- 

 Total 



Longitude 



160° E.-180° 180°-160° W. 160° W.-130° W 



Stage of development 



Early 



Late 



Ad. 

 vanced 



Early 



Late 



Ad 

 vanced 



Early 



Late 



Ad- 

 vanced 



er precluded their fishing farther south, or be- 

 cause fish were readily available in waters closer 

 to their operating base. Catch records indicate 

 that the latter has been the case, since landings 

 continued high dm"ing this period. 



Table 4. — Seasonal and latitudinal variation in ovary 

 development, central South Pacific Ocean (130° W.-160°E. 

 longitude) 



Date 



1957 



July 



August 



September- - 



October 



November- - 

 December-- 



1958 



January 



February-. - 



March 



April 



May--- 



June-- 



July 



August 



September-. 



Total. 



Latitude 



0°-10° S. 



10° 3.-20° S. 



20° S.-30° S. 



Stage of development 



Early 



Late 



32 



Ad- 

 vanced 



Early 



100 



Late 



281 



Ad 

 vanced 



Early 



197 



Late 



Ad- 

 vanced 



