Highlights of press release 6 of 18 February from IMARPE: The Intertropical Convergence Zone is fluctuating between 2 N and 5 S latitudes, leading to convective activity and resulting rain falls of 342 mm in Tumbes, 119 mm in Talara and 124 mm in Piura. Air temperatures are up to 8.0°C above average especially in northern Peru between Chiclayo y Chimbote. Sea surface temperature continues to increase in northern and central Peru, but is falling in the south. Sealevel, an indication of the Kelvin Wave at the heart of ENSO, reached a maximum of 40 cm above the mean in December, fell to 28 cm in January and in February was at 10 - 18 cm above normal.
Fishing for anchoveta remains prohibited, to protect recruiting young, but fishing for sardines began again on 28 January, aimed at adults. Merluza (hake) have returned to their normal habitat between Paita and Islas Lobos de Afuera. Mackerel and jurel (jack mackerel?) has increased along the coast. Dolphin fish remain a major species landed, but tuna, marlin and swordfish are not being seen now as they were earlier, last May - June. Tropical crabs Callinectes arcuatus are becoming rare, while cooler water species are becoming more common..-- translated from material provided by Miguel Rabi <rabi@telematic.edu.pe> of press release # 6 FROM el Instituto del Mar del Peru <http://www.imarpe.gob.pe>