Migration behavior of anchoveta (Engraulis ringens) in the Northern Humboldt Current System between September 2019 and September 2020

Abstract

Migrational behavior of anchoveta (Engraulis ringens) in the Northern Humboldt Current System between September 2019 and September 2020 is analyzed. Acoustic, biological, and oceanographic data and information from the several research cruises carried out by the Instituto del Mar del Perú (IMARPE) during this period were considered. The results showed the presence of transitory warm oceanographic events that induced the anchoveta population to make horizontal and vertical migrations in their search for cold conditions, the adult specimens (bigger than 12 cm of total length) retracted near the bottom of the platform being inaccessible to the fishing fleet; after the normalization of environmental conditions, their abundance was accessible to the fishing fleet. Therefore, the fishing activity in the second season of anchoveta fishing in 2019 had a negative impact due to the joint action of environmental events and events of a biological nature (entry of strong recruitment and migration). The anchoveta was preferably found in cold coastal waters that varied in the seasons. In the spring of 2019, it was found in temperatures lower than 22.1°C, in the summer of 2020 at temperatures lower than 23.1°C, and in the winter of 2020 at temperatures lower than 17.2°C; as for, salinity was always found in values lower than 35.2. The strategy of the migratory behavior of the anchoveta concerning its habitat in this period has allowed it to remain in its abundance in the Humboldt Current System, which added to adequate fishing management will allow it to maintain its sustainability.