Seasonal movements of silver kob, Argyrosomus inodorus, (Griffiths and Heemstra) in Namibian waters

A seasonal migration pattern for silver kob, Argyrosomus inodorus (Griffiths & Heemstra) is elucidated based on tag-recapture data. Spawning adults start migrating southwards against the north-westerly surface currents at the beginning of the austral summer from the northern end of their distributional range to their spawning grounds, Sandwich and Meob Bays, at the southern end of their distributional range. It is suggested that after spawning larvae drift north with the current to the nursery areas, the West coast Recreational area (WCR). When juveniles reach the age of approximately 2 years they will gradually move north towards the adult feeding ground, the Skeleton Coast Park (SCP) waters. At the end of the spawning season when the surf-zone water temperature decreases to about 15 degreesC adult silver kob complete their spawning cycle by returning to the adult feeding ground, probably moving slightly offshore and with the current.