The influence of environmental factors and hydrodynamics on sardine (Sardina pilchardus, Walbaum 1792) abundance in the southern Alboran Sea

摘要: Abstract The study of environmental variables and their influence on the small pelagic fish stocks Alboran Sea (Western Mediterranean) is asymmetrical, with studies focused southern coast being scarce compared those looking at northern margin. In this work, time series sardine landings from Moroccan 1981 to 2016 were analyzed together such as Surface Temperature (SST), Salinity (SSS), Chlorophyll-a concentrations (Chl-a), velocity Atlantic Jet (AJ) flowing into Mediterranean through Strait Gibraltar. Annual catches decreased a rate −258 t/year. At same time, SST SSS increased rates 0.03 °C/year 0.004 ups/year, respectively, very likely result climate change. Linear models reflect negative relationship between SSS, indicating that long-term temperature salinity changes in could have impact abundance. an inter-annual scale, chlorophyll seem be positively related abundances. A decrease kinetic energy AJ also inferred cross-strait sea level difference (SLD). This variable has important (positive correlation) landings, both long term higher abundances associated SLD. work shows SLD, SST, Chl-a are main driving factors for variability Sea.