Abstract
Based on the data collected by R/V "Shinkai Maru" of the Japan Marine Fishery Resources Research Center during the period from April 1978 to April 1979, seasonal migration of Merluccius hubbsi was studied using the catch per fishing effort (tons/30 min. haul) and gonad maturity index (gonad weight /body weight X $10^3$). Merlurccius hubbsi are found in the area between $36^{\circ}S\;and\;54^{\circ}S$ along the coast of Arzentine and are abundant especially above the 100 fathoms in northern offshore of $48^{\circ}S$. It was observed that critical maturity body lengths (spawning minimum body length) in terms of gonad maturity index are 40 cm and 30cm in female and male respectively, while spawning seasons are from December to January and from November to December for female and male respectively. It was assumed that while the group which distrbutes in the north ($36^{\circ}S{\sim}39^{\circ}S$) in spring moves down south to $42^{\circ}{\sim}46^{\circ}S$ for spawning in summer (from December to January), the group which does not move or a part of this group which comes back to the north spawn in the area north of $42^{\circ}S$ throughout the long period except winter time (from July to August). Southern group as well might move north and spawn after mixing together with northern group at $42^{\circ}{\sim}46^{\circ}S$ area around the period of December to January,
Merluccins hubbsi는 알젠틴 해역의 남위 $36^{\circ}$에서 $54^{\circ}$까지 분포하지만, 특히 $48^{\circ}S$ 이북의 100 fathom 이천에서 분포밀도가 높다. 성숙지수에서 본 성숙임계체장은 자는 40cm, 웅은 35cm이고, 산란성기는 자에서는 $12{\sim}l$월, 웅에서는 $11{\sim}12$월로 추정된다. 춘기에 북부해역($36^{\circ}{\sim}39^{\circ}S$)에 분포하고 있던 군이 하기($12{\sim}l$월경)에 $42^{\circ}{\sim}46^{\circ}S$해역으로 남하하여 주로 산란하지만, 남하에 참가하지 않았던 일부의 군, 혹은 남하후 북상하는 군의 일부가 $42^{\circ}S$이북의 해역에서도 동기($7{\sim}8$월)를 제외한 장기간에 걸쳐서 산란하는 것으로 추정된다. 또한 남부의 군도 북상하여 $12{\sim}l$월경 $42^{\circ}{\sim}46^{\circ}S$해역에서 북부의 군과 혼합하여 산란하는 것으로 추정된다.