Distribution and Characteristic of Transport Mechanism of Eggs and Larvae of Anchovy, Engraulis japonica, in the Southwestern Sea of Korea in July and November, 2001

Distribution of anchovy (Engraulis japonica) eggs and larvae was studied in the southwestern sea of Korea in July and November, 2001. Anchovy eggs were found mainly in the oceanic fronts of the northern sea area which were formed in the offshore area of Chuja Is. Bogil Is. and Chungsan Is. from west to east. Anchovy eggs were also found in the surrounding sea of Cheju Is. in the southern sea front area. The waters were highly heterogeneous and the water masses were bordered based on temperature $(10.8-26.4^{\circ}C)$ and salinity (28.9-33.7 psu). The anchovy eggs were mostly found outside of the China Coastal Water, where salinity was below 31 psu. The anchovy eggs were not found in November. Abundance of the anchovy larvae were higher in July than November. Temperature ranged from $10.8^{\circ}C\;to\;25.9^{\circ}C\;and\;15.9^{\circ}C\;to\;20.5^{\circ}C$ , and salinity ranged from 28.9psu to 34.1psu and 33.2psu to 34.1psu in July and November, respectively. Non-swimmable larvae were found throughout the whole area of the southwestern sea of Korea. The area beyond the oceanic front had anchovy eggs dispersed from the spawning grounds to offshore. Dispersion pattern showed that the eggs were transported from the spawning grounds with a process of advection and diffusion based on the flow pattern which were caused by winds. Distribution pattern of the anchovy eggs and larvae may be used for the prediction of oceanic currents in each area.