A study of first feeding herring (Clupea harengus L.) larvae during the period 1985- 1993

Abstract

Hatching and distribution of first feeding larvae of Norwegian spring spawning herring have been monitored on the Norwegian shelf in March and April since 1985. During this period the spawning stock increased from 0.5 to 2.0 mill. metric tonns with the recruitment of the 1983 yearclass to the spawning stock. This was seen as a significant increase in the number of larvae over the spawning beds since 1988. During the same period the recruitment of herring changed dramatically, with low to moderate recruitment in the period 1985-1988 and good recruitment in 1989-1992. Samples of first feeding herring larvae were taken within the central area of herring larvae distibution. Length, weight and gut content were measured. Plots of length versus dry weight are presented together with results from gut content analyses. The importance of these parameters as an early indication of recruitment is discussed.