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SCHOOLING BEHAVIOUR OF SARDINE <i>SARDINOPS SAGAX </i> IN FALSE BAY, SOUTH AFRICA
Abstract
The schooling behaviour of sardine Sardinops sagax in False Bay on the south coast of South Africa was studied in October 1995 using high-resolution sonar and a hull-mounted, echo-integration unit. School formation and disintegration were studied, and school shape, packing density, swimming behaviour and inter- and intra-school event rates were quantified. Mean fish density was 29.5 fish m-3 (SD 46 fish m-3), but it varied between schools by a factor of about 100 (from 2 to 233 fish m-3). Tracked schools moved at average speeds of 0.67–1.59 m s-3. Schools changed shape on average every 2.08 minutes, and underwent either splits or merges with other schools on average every 5 minutes. Relationships between the geometric dimensions and biomass of the schools were established.
Afr. J. mar. Sci. 25: 185–193
Afr. J. mar. Sci. 25: 185–193