Sea surface temperature and purse net productivity in East China Sea

Temperature, as one of the main factors, is thought to play a dominant role in determining the spatial and temporal distribution of fish centers and fishing grounds. For many species of marine fish, research has provided much information about their spawning, feeding habitats and migrations; however, such information is always empirical. In order to investigate the relationship between sea surface temperature (SST) and purse net productivity in East China Sea (N24-N36, E118.5-E130), a time series of mean weekly SST images and corresponding purse net statistic productivity were analyzed in detail for the region from 1987-1997 using geographic information system (GIS) spatial analysis models and mapping techniques. Thereby, it is concluded that SST data has great correlation with purse net productivity and their relationship varied steadily in certain range over time and area