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

Abstract

Hatching and distribution of first feeding larvae of Norwegian spring\nspawning herring have been monitored on the Norwegian shelf in March\nand April since 1985. During this period the spawning stock increased from\n0.5 to 2.0 mill. metric tonns with the recruitment of the 1983 yearclass to the\nspawning stock. This was seen as a significant increase in the number of\nlarvae over the spawning beds since 1988. During the same period the\nrecruitment of herring changed dramatically, with low to moderate\nrecruitment in the period 1985-1988 and good recruitment in 1989-1992.\nSamples of first feeding herring larvae were taken within the central area of\nherring larvae distibution. Length, weight and gut content were measured.\nPlots of length versus dry weight are presented together with results from\ngut content analyses. The importance of these parameters as an early\nindication of recruitment is discussed.