The role of wind-forcing in the distribution of larval fish in Galway Bay, Ireland

The ichthyoplankton of Galway Bay was sampled over the spring and summer of 2007 and 2008 to determine what environmental factors influenced the distribution of larval and early juvenile fish. A total of 549 fish representing 27 taxa were caught. Catches decreased throughout each sampling season, and were generally poor in 2007. Catches were numerically dominated by sprat (Sprattus sprattus), dab (Limanda limanda), sand eel (Hyperoplus immaculatus) and whiting (Merlangius merlangus). Environmental factors driving distribution of fish were modelled using a binomial generalized linear model. The strength and direction of wind in the five days preceding sampling was the only significant environmental factor. Sustained onshore winds increased the probability of encountering larval fish in the areas sampled. The rainfall, tidal state, tow depth and wind conditions during sampling were not significant. Among the parameters measured it appears that onshore winds sufficiently strong to overcome the residual circulation are the main physical driver for the distribution of larval fish in Galway Bay.