Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 May 2009
Information regarding spawning grounds of the Atlantic herring Clupea harengus Linnaeus has been based mainly on the collection of spawning fish, newly hatched larvae, or the presence of eggs within the stomachs of predators (Postuma, Saville & Wood, 1977). This type of evidence indicates general areas of spawning, rather than accurately delineating the spawning grounds. Though samples of spawn have been obtained from several localities in the North-East Atlantic (Ewart, 1884; Runnström, 1941; Fridriksson & Timmerman, 1951; Bolster & Bridger, 1957; Parrish et al. 1959; Hemmings, 1965; Bowers, 1969; Anthony, Sauskan & Sigaer, 1970), few quantitative studies of individual grounds have been made. In consequence, little is known of the factors influencing the selection of grounds by Atlantic herring, the shape of these grounds and egg distribution within spawning areas.