Modeling the Influence of Hydrodynamic Processes on Anchovy Distribution and Connectivity in the Black Sea

Dispersal mechanisms of Black Sea anchovy larvae (Engraulis encrasicolus ponticus) across the Black Sea were studied with an individual based anchovy larvae model embedded in a Lagrangian model using surface currents calculated from daily dynamic height topography maps of altimeter data during a period of three years (2001-2003). Particles representing anchovy eggs were released at different sites during June to August and their movement was tracked over time. Drifters were advected for 36 days, representing the time it generally takes for anchovy eggs to develop into juveniles. Each individual was subject to somatic growth whose temperature dependence was calculated from satellite derived sea surface temperature data.