Distributional response to variations in abundance over spatial and temporal scales for juveniles of European hake (Merluccius merluccius) in the Western Mediterranean Sea

An ontogenetic pattern of distribution was detected whereby age 0 fish are distributed almost exclusively at depths between 100 and 250 m, intermediate ages (mainly composed by 1-year-old individuals) are concentrated in more shallow waters while older individuals generally are found in the slope of the continental shelf. A better knowledge on changes in time and space of nursery areas location and of fish density and biomass will allow a more sound management of the resource.