SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL DISTRIBUTIONS OF PACIFIC HAKE, MERLUCCIUS-PRODUCTUS, LARVAE AND ESTIMATES OF SURVIVAL DURING EARLY LIFE STAGES

Information on the distribution and abundance of Pacific hake larvae was examined for evidence of strong or weak year classes and larval drift. Estimates of larval mortality rates were derived and applied to a life-table simulation to examine hypotheses about factors that produce strong or weak year classes. Indices of late-stage larval abundance indicated that strong year classes were established during the egg or larval stage of development. Estimates of larval mortality applied to a life-table simulation also indicated that strong year classes were established during the early or late larval period. Analysis of the spatial distribution of larvae indicated that inshore regions and regions west of Point Conception are favorable to survival of hake larvae.