We examined the characteristics of egg and larval distributions and catch changes of anchovy in relation to abnormally high sea temperature in the South Sea of Korea in summer 2015 and 2016. The densities of anchovy eggs and larvae in the southern coastal region were lower in July-August 2016 than in July-August 2015. In particular, anchovy eggs and larvae (approximately 5 mm TL) were rarely observed in the coastal region in August 2016 due to the abnormally high SST (up to 28°C), which was above the optimum spawning temperature of anchovy. The catch of non-swimming stage (< 2 cm TL) larval anchovy was lower in July-August 2016 than in July-August 2015. The decreased catch of larval anchovy in July-August 2016 could be attributed to decreased spawning density in June-July 2016. In contrast, the catch of swimming stage (> 2 cm TL) anchovy was increased in July-August 2016. In the summer of 2016, prominent sea temperature near the southern coast of Korea and sea temperature higher than 30°C in the offshore region of the South Sea of Korea could greatly enhance the retention of swimming anchovies in the coastal fishing grounds.

• 유준택(국립수산과학원 수산자원연구센터) | Joon-Taek YOO (Fisheries Resources Research Center, National Institute of Fisheries Science) Corresponding author
• 김영혜(국립수산과학원 연근해자원과) | Yeong Hye KIM (Fisheries Resources Research Division, National Institute of Fisheries Science)
• 송세현(국립수산과학원 수산자원연구센터) | Se Hyun SONG (Fisheries Resources Research Center, National Institute of Fisheries Science)
• 이승환(국립수산과학원 수산자원연구센터) | Seung Hwan LEE (Fisheries Resources Research Center, National Institute of Fisheries Science)