| The paper presents a mathematical model of the early larval stage, from spawn to the resorption of the yolk-sac, of the anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus, of the Bay of Biscay. The model describes the temperature-dependent growth and drift of passive larvae by the currents and vertical turbulence. A numerical code has been built and numerous simulations, fed by both biological (egg surveys by AZTI-San Sebastian, Spain, and IFREMER, France) and physical (circulation model by IFREMER-Brest, France) data, were undertaken. Their main features are presented and discussed here, and some conclusions on the possible utilization of the results in improving estimates of anchovy stocks by the daily egg production method are drawn. |
