Abundance, Distribution and Recruitment of Bay Anchovy, Anchoa Mitchilli, In the Maryland Coastal Bays

Bay anchovy egg and larval samples were collected at 13 sites in July, the peak spawning month, of 2010, 2011 and 2012 to describe for the first time their spatial and temporal distribution in the Maryland Coastal Bays. Mean egg (p < 0.001) and larval (p < 0.001) densities were significantly higher in July 2010 than in July 2011 and 2012. Southern bays (Chincoteague and Sinepuxent Bays; sites 1-8) had significantly higher mean egg (p = 0.01) and larval (p = 0.02) densities than the northern bays (Isle of Wight and Assawoman Bays; sites 9-13). In contrast, bay anchovy samples collected during summer of 2012 showed that southern bays had significantly lower bay anchovy (0+ and 1+) densities than the northern bays (p = 0.03).  However, on the basis of anchovy sizes collected in July, southern bays contained mostly larger fish that were sexually mature, whereas northern bays contained mostly 0+ fish. This suggests that adult bay anchovy preferentially spawn in the southern bays. Results also suggest that the survival of bay anchovy eggs and larvae, and therefore their recruitment is influenced by temperature associated with ENSO events.