Spatial analysis of the horizontal and vertical distribution of yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares in the tropical Atlantic Ocean

Abstract

In order to investigate the distribution of the yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) in the fishing grounds in the tropical Atlantic Ocean, the isothermal distribution of subsurface temperatures in the yellowfin tuna fishing grounds was evaluated. The depths of 13益 and 8益 isotherm from the sea surface temperature (SST) (Delta 8益) , were plotted on spatial overlay maps using data collected on a monthly basis from Argo buoys and monthly CPUE data (catch per unit effort) from Thunnus albacares long鄄lines supplied by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas