Aalbers and Sepulveda: Seasonal movement patterns and temperature profiles of adult Atractoscion nobi/is off California 
7 
Temperature profiles 
Tagged white seabass experienced water temperatures 
from 8.8°C to 23.6°C but spent the majority (52%) of 
time between 13 and 16°C with a peak around 14°C 
(Fig. IB). Temperatures ranged between 11°C and 19°C 
for 95% of all records (Fig. IB), and 95% of the time 
that fish spent at depths <5 m ( i.e. , in surface-oriented 
behavior) occurred at ambient temperatures between 
12°C and 19°C. Mean monthly temperatures reached 
a minimum of 13.0°C in December and a maximum of 
16.0°C in June (Fig. 2). 
Discussion 
This study revealed a relatively high tag recovery rate, 
providing an extensive data set from fish both tem- 
porally and spatially distributed along the California 
and Baja California coastlines. Despite differences in 
deployment times and locations, depth and tempera- 
ture profiles were markedly similar among most fish, 
and all individuals exhibited seasonal shifts in depth 
distribution. A significantly shallower and less variable 
distribution from April to September (than in winter 
months) contributes to greater vulnerability to most 
gear types and validates seasonal fishery trends that 
were suggested nearly a century ago (Skogsberg, 1939). 
Seasonal and diel shifts in depth distribution, VROM 
values, and surface-oriented behavior are all indicative 
of increased feeding and spawning-related activities as 
water temperatures increase in the spring and summer 
months. These data provide insight into the migratory 
nature of the white seabass, along with the first evi- 
dence of transboundary movements across the border 
