RECORD OF THE LARVAE OF HAKE (MERLUCCIUS PRODUCTUS ), 1957 



The records of hake larvae contained in table Vn are the numbers of larvae 

 (standard haul totals) taken in each plankton collection made in 1957, Length 

 measurements were not made on hake larvae. The distribution and relative 

 abundance of hake larvae in 1957 are shown in figure 7. The basic data con- 

 tained in table Vn are summarized by month and area in text table 11. 



Hake larvae constituted 16 percent of the fish larvae taken on CCOFI 

 cruises during 1957. They were exceeded in abundance only by anchovy larvae, 

 as was also the situation during each of the preceding five years (1952-1956). 

 Monthly abundance and occurrences of hake larvae in 1957 are compared with 

 similar data for 1956 in the following summary: 



Monthly abundance of hake larvae in 1956 and 1957 



Total 



1956 



1957 



360 



89,857 



99.99 



349 



78,283 



100.00 



Most hake larvae were taken during a two-month period, February and March. 

 Due to the abbreviated coverage in January 1957 (only 57 stations occupied, all 

 off Baja California) , hake abundance must be underestimated for this month. Over 

 40 percent of the larvae were taken off California (station lines 60-93) in 1957, as 

 compared to less than 3 percent in this area in 1956 and approximately 8 percent 

 in 1955. 



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