Abstract

A work of gathering historical fishing (catch, fishing effort, CPUE, characteristics and operation of purseiner fleet) and satellite (NOAA, SeaStar and SeaWind) database of northern Chile, and fishing and oceanographic in situ sampling for validation purpose is made. With this information and the use of geographical information system (GIS) the distribution of pelagic resources and the associated environmental conditions (sea surface temperature, thermal gradients, chlorophyll concentration and wind fields) are analysed in order to develop a probable fishing ground (PFG) index prediction model. A PFG model of anchovy (Engraulins ringens) is operative for the northern Chile. The impact of the use of PFG charts was evaluated analyzing the operational efficiency of the involved purse seiner fleet. An availability index, independent from the present fishery activity, is estimated from the PFG index and images that depend on historical and present environmental conditions and historical catches. The management measures that assure the resources sustainability are present