Can CPUE inform on sardine and anchovy recruitment strength?

A non-parametric approach is used to investigate whether CPUE for sardine and anchovy from Area A over the period April to June is able to inform on recruitment strength for these two species. There is no useful relationship for sardine, but there is some correlation for anchovy. Hence the anchovy CPUE for 2020 (near to the highest on record) is clearly indicative of anchovy recruitment that is hardly likely to be low.