Only a few anchovy larvae were taken off southern Baja California in 1957 - 

 less than 0.1 percent of the number taken in the CCOFI survey area, as compared 

 to 19.0 percent in this area in 1956. A much higher percentage of the larvae were 

 taken in the northern half of the survey area (station lines 60-107), however: 62.0 

 percent as compared to 20.1 percent in 1956. Water temperatures in the upper 

 mixed layer, the stratum in which anchovy larvae occur, were higher in 1957 than 

 in 1956, especially in the area off central and southern Baja California, The north- 

 ward shift in larval distribution is probably related, directly or Indirectly, to the 

 increase in water temperatures in the CCOFI area. 



The abundance of anchovy larvae in different parts of the CCOFI survey area 

 in 1957 is summarized by month in text table 6, Almost a third of the larvae were 

 obtained during the peak month, February. This was the month of peak abundance 

 in all major subareas, an unusual circumstance as can be seen by comparing the 

 1957 areal abundance with that given for 1956 (Ahlstrom 1958, text table 5) or 

 1955 (Ahlstrom and Kramer 1957, text table 4), Anchovy spawning ordinarily 

 takes place throughout the year in the area between Point Conception and Point 

 San Juanico (station lines 80-137), There was a marked decrease in the number 

 of larvae in the southern part of the range (lines 123-137) during the latter part of 

 the year. There were only three occurrences in 64 hauls taken in this area dur- 

 ing August through October, and these contained only small numbers of larvae. 

 The increase in temperatures in this area (S^C higher than the average of the pre- 

 ceding six years during these months) may account for the decrease In anchovy 

 larvae. 



The monthly abundance of anchovy larvae during 1957 is compared with that 

 of the preceding four years in text table 7, Throughout the five-year period, more 

 anchovy larvae were taken during the winter months (January -March) than in the 

 other seasons. Coverage during the last five months of the year has varied in 

 intensity during this period, but in no year was it as thorough as during the earlier 

 months, hen( t abimdance during these months is underestimated. Even allowing 

 for this fact, tnere is a marked decrease in numbers of larvae during the summer 

 and fall months as compared to the other two seasons. 



The abundance of anchovy larvae of different sizes is summarized for the 

 five-year period, 1953-1957, in text table 8. A comparison of the larger larvae 

 (12.26 mm. and over) is as follows: 



Year Standard haul total Larvae over 12,26 mm. Percent of tota l 



2,294 2.31 



4,366 2,71 



3,773 2.69 



4,599 3.41 



4,253 2.90 



38 



