Sardine ( Sardina pilchardus ) egg abundance at station L 4 , Western English Channel , 1988 – 2008

Results from sampling for sardine (Sardina pilchardus) eggs at station L4 in the coastal Western English Channel over the period 1988–2008 are presented and discussed in relation to environmental conditions. As previously observed in this area, there is a summer spawning season (midMarch to early July) and one in the autumn (early September to mid-November). The historical trend for increasing autumn spawning has continued. The mean spawning temperatures were 12.6 and 14.58C for the summer and autumn seasons, respectively. Temperature was negatively correlated with summer egg abundance and positively with autumn egg abundance. A negative correlation between egg abundance and the North Atlantic Oscillation index suggested a link between egg numbers and plankton production.