Resumen:
Samples were obtained using bottom trawl nets during a coastal research cruise carried out on board of the RFV “Dr. E. L. Holmberg” between 3rd. and 16th. July 2001. The spatial distribution of surface and bottom temperature and salinity fields was analyzed at the oceanographic stations sampled in each trawl position. The analysis allowed to characterize the oceanographic conditions of the area during the sampling period and to compare them to the historic seasonal mean. 669 leatherjack specimens of 9-55 cm total length (TL) caught at depths ranging 5-29 m and 1,372 butterfish individuals of 6-40 cm total length (TL) caught at depths ranging 4-29 m were sampled. Length at first sexual maturity for both sexes was also estimated. Results were: leatherjack: L50 (cm) = 30.06 and butterfish: L50 (cm) = 23.12. It is worth mentioning that the presence of adult leatherjack near Mar del Plata (Buenos Aires prov., Argentina) suggests that the resource may become one of the target species for the coastal fleet.
