Argentine anchoita
Encyclopedia
The Argentine anchoita, Engraulis anchoita, is an anchovy of the genus Engraulis
, found in and around waters of Argentina
. The species, that at present may be considered almost unexploited (Sánchez & Ciechomski, 1995), plays a key role in the pelagic ecosystem
of the Argentine
waters.
By biomass
, it is the largest fish resource of the southwest Atlantic Ocean
(Ciechomski & Sánchez, 1988).
The species constitutes the main component of the diet of several important commercial species such as hake
, squid
and mackerel
(Angelescu, 1982).
South of 34°S at least two populations of E. anchoita occur separately at approximately 41°S: the northern and the Patagonian or southern stock (Hansen et al., 1984).
Northern stock undergoes annual migrations: during winter it is found in the northern part of its distribution area, whereas in spring massive spawning occurs in coastal sectors off the Buenos Aires Province
, mostly in waters shallower than 50 m (Sánchez & Ciechomski, 1995; Pájaro, 1998). Then, the reproductive schools disperse into outer shelf waters during summer to feed, returning again to northern waters in winter (Angelescu, 1982; Hansen & Madirolas, 1996; Cousseau and Perrotta, 1998).
Engraulis
Engraulis is a genus of anchovies. It currently contains nine species.-Species:* Engraulis albidus Borsa, Collet & J. D. Durand, 2004* Engraulis anchoita Carl Hubbs & Marini, 1935 * Engraulis australis Engraulis is a genus of anchovies. It currently contains nine species.-Species:* Engraulis...
, found in and around waters of Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
. The species, that at present may be considered almost unexploited (Sánchez & Ciechomski, 1995), plays a key role in the pelagic ecosystem
Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a biological environment consisting of all the organisms living in a particular area, as well as all the nonliving , physical components of the environment with which the organisms interact, such as air, soil, water and sunlight....
of the Argentine
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
waters.
By biomass
Biomass
Biomass, as a renewable energy source, is biological material from living, or recently living organisms. As an energy source, biomass can either be used directly, or converted into other energy products such as biofuel....
, it is the largest fish resource of the southwest Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
(Ciechomski & Sánchez, 1988).
The species constitutes the main component of the diet of several important commercial species such as hake
Hake
The term hake refers to fish in either of:* family Phycidae of the northern oceans* family Merlucciidae of the southern oceans-Hake fish:...
, squid
Squid
Squid are cephalopods of the order Teuthida, which comprises around 300 species. Like all other cephalopods, squid have a distinct head, bilateral symmetry, a mantle, and arms. Squid, like cuttlefish, have eight arms arranged in pairs and two, usually longer, tentacles...
and mackerel
Mackerel
Mackerel is a common name applied to a number of different species of fish, mostly, but not exclusively, from the family Scombridae. They may be found in all tropical and temperate seas. Most live offshore in the oceanic environment but a few, like the Spanish mackerel , enter bays and can be...
(Angelescu, 1982).
South of 34°S at least two populations of E. anchoita occur separately at approximately 41°S: the northern and the Patagonian or southern stock (Hansen et al., 1984).
Northern stock undergoes annual migrations: during winter it is found in the northern part of its distribution area, whereas in spring massive spawning occurs in coastal sectors off the Buenos Aires Province
Buenos Aires Province
The Province of Buenos Aires is the largest and most populous province of Argentina. It takes the name from the city of Buenos Aires, which used to be the provincial capital until it was federalized in 1880...
, mostly in waters shallower than 50 m (Sánchez & Ciechomski, 1995; Pájaro, 1998). Then, the reproductive schools disperse into outer shelf waters during summer to feed, returning again to northern waters in winter (Angelescu, 1982; Hansen & Madirolas, 1996; Cousseau and Perrotta, 1998).