The Role of Ecuadorian Sandy Beach Surf Zones as a Habitat for the Larvae of Peruvian Anchoveta Engraulis ringens

The Peruvian Anchoveta is a small pelagic fish whose fishery is one of the largest in the world, and whose eggs are released off Peru and Chile. Despite adults not spawning in Ecuadorian coastal waters, Anchoveta larvae are regularly present in Ecuadorian surf zones. The presence of Anchoveta in surf zones is significant because their larval period is hypothesized to be critical and their nursery habitats are not all well defined. Surf zones can act as habitats, migratory pathways and sinks for fish and invertebrates, and could therefore be filling one of these roles for Anchoveta larvae. To study the role of Ecuadorian surf zones, larval densities, distribution, diet, and consumption and growth rates will be compared with values observed in coastal deeper waters and bays. Data will be obtained from previous studies and by collecting larvae using a hyperbenthic sledge at Ecuadorian beaches and conducting diet and otolith analysis. This study will determine the role of Ecuadorian sandy beaches for an important fishery species, which is necessary to study their population dynamics. In the case of Anchoveta, understanding habitat roles is important considering their economic and ecological importance and the predicted impact of climate change in the near future.