Distribution of hake (M. capensis and M. paradoxus) off the southern part of the Namibian coast

Abstract

Abstract by author:

This study was undertaken to investigate the distribution of hakes (Merluccius capensis and M. paradoxus) according to depth off the southern part of the Namibian coast. Data were derived from the 1st leg of the annual hake biomass survey conducted on board the F/V. Blue Sea I during January 2004. The study found that the maximum density of M. capensis occur at the depth range of 200 - 239 m, with more than 75 percent occurring in waters shallower than 280 m. The higher density of M. paradoxus is found at the depth range of 400 - 439 m and more than 80 percent was deeper than 300 m, but they co-exist at about 300m depth. M. capensis is a shallow water species; with a high density in shallower waters while M. paradoxus is deep-water species with higher density in deeper waters. More field studies are needed to investigate the specie of hake activity in vertical migration and diurnal distribution