EVENTOS CLIMÁTICOS A PEQUEÑA ESCALA Y LA PESCA DEL ATÚN BLANCO (THUNNUS ALALUNGA) EN LAS ISLAS CANARIAS

SUMMARY Catches of albacore (Thunnus alalunga) in the Canary Islands are determined by various meteorological events that influence the oceanographic conditions of the Islands. At the same time, these factors affect the presence of albacore in Canarian waters. After analyzing the albacore catches reported between 1965 and 2003, it was observed that certain meteorological events related to the geographic position of the barometric center of the Azores anticyclone NAO index, in this case a positive NAO index, favors the presence of juveniles of this species in the FAO 34 area. However, the lack of relationship between the catches in the Canary Islands and the rest of the FAO 34 area, made us suppose that certain meteorological events would influence, in a different manner, the catches in the Canary Islands. During the winter of 2002, the daily catches per unit effort (CPUE) were registered as well as the geographical position where these were taken by the artisanal baitboat fleet throughout the entire coast and a follow up was carried out of the oceanic weather conditions of the area. Contrary to what occurs in the FAO 34 area, a negative NAO index would assist in the entry of schools, remaining at the meso layer structures south of the islands.