On the site-specific role of the central Norwegian shelf for the recruitmen strategy of the Norwegian spring spawning herring

The Norwegian Coastal Current originates primarily from the fresh water outflow from the Baltic and the fresh water run-off from Norway. This water mixes with the North Sea Water and Atlantic Water and flows northward along the coast of Norway as a wedge-shaped lowsalinity current bordered by the Norwegian North Atlantic Current off the central and northern parts of Norway (Fig.!). Off central Norway between 62° a'1d 68° !'l, the l'~orvVegian continental shelf is at its \videst \vith a complicated bottom topoe,laphy consisting of several shallow banks separated by deeper channels (Fig. 2). A conspicuous feature in the circuiation pattern of that area.is the pronounced topographic steering of the current (SAlTRE, 1998).