Sardine (Sardina pilchardus) egg abundance at station L4, Western English Channel, 1988-2008

Results from sampling for sardine (Sardina pilchardus) eggs at station L4 in the coastal Western English Channel over the period 1988-2008 are presented and discussed in relation to environmental conditions. As previously observed in this area, there is a summer spawning season (mid-March to early July) and one in the autumn (early September to mid-November). The historical trend for increasing autumn spawning has continued. The mean spawning temperatures were 12.6 and 14.5 degrees C for the summer and autumn seasons, respectively. Temperature was negatively correlated with summer egg abundance and positively with autumn egg abundance. A negative correlation between egg abundance and the North Atlantic Oscillation index suggested a link between egg numbers and plankton production.