Spatial and seasonal distribution of eggs and larvae of sandy sprat, Hyperlophus vittatus (Clupeidae), off south-western Australia

Ichthyoplankton surveys were employed to determine the distribution and spawning season of Hyperlophus vittatus off south-western Australia. Eggs and larvae of H. vittatus were sampled with 500-μm-mesh bongo-nets monthly during 1992, and less regularly during 1993, close to the beach and at 5.5 and 11 km offshore in four areas within the region of the fishery. The spatio-temporal distribution and abundance of eggs indicates that H. vittatus spawns in nearshore marine waters from May to September, with a peak in June and July. Larvae were rarer and less abundant than the eggs and therefore were less reliable indicators of spawning areas and season. Samples taken along transects across the continental shelf in July of both 1993 and 1994 indicated that H. vittatus did not spawn further than 14 km from the coast. Samples taken in July 1994 just beyond the surf zone at beaches, and at corresponding sites 5.5 km offshore, at 3.7-km intervals along 150 km of coastline indicated that H. vittatus spawns throughout the distribution of the fished stock off south-westem Australia.