FISHABLE CONCENTRATIONS OF FISHES AND CRUSTACEANS IN THE OFFSHORE AND DEEP SEA AREAS OF THE INDIAN EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE BASED ON OBSERVATIONS MADE ONBOARD FORV SAGAR SAMPADA

Abstract

Bottom trawling data of FORV Sagar Sampada pertaining to a total of 350 fishing hauls with a duration of 330 effective trpwling hours for depths beyond 40 m was utilized in the present study. Abundance of selected fishery resources such as threadfin bream, bull's eye, drift fish, Uzard fish, ribbon fish, cat fish, barracudas, mackerel, deep sea prawns and deep soa lobster in the offshore and deep sea waters of the Indian EEZ in space and time is indicated. Comparatively high fishable concentrations of threadfin bream was observed at depths beyond 50 m in the fishing squares 8/76 (average CPUE from 650 to 2,610 kg during June-July), 7/76, (1,067 to 3,540 kg during July-August), 11 /75 (8,180 kg during September-December), 13/73 (2,500 kg during June-August),l 5/73 (1,400 kg during June-August), 20/70 (2,400 kg during September-December) and 22/68 (1,260 kg during September-December). Good concentrations of bull's eye were found along southwest coast in fishing squares 7/76 (4,900 kg in August), 15/73 (1,500 kg in September) on the central west coast and in 14/80 and 16/81 (800 to 1,200 kg in September) along northeast coast. For drift fish higher concentrations were found at 19/85 along northeast coast between 62 and 68 m (CPUE 8,(XX) kg during February). Higher concentrations of lizard fish were observed at 8/76 and 9/75 along southwest coast (250 to 750 kg diuing June). For ribbon fish good fishing groimds were observed in fishing squares 20/70 and 22/68 along northwest coast (900 kg in September to 1,900 kg in November). Comparatively higher con­ centrations of cat fish were observed in the fishing square 10/75 along southwest coast at a depth of 50 m (2,4()0 kg in June). Fish able concentrations of barracudas were observed all along the west coast and northeast coast at a depth of 50 m (300 kg In October and 5,670 kg in August). Mackerel was found in good concentrations along northeast coast between 70 and 85 m in fishing squares 19/86 and 20/87 (1,470 to 2,850 kg during October). Comparatively good fishing grounds for deep sea prawns at depths between 130 and 770 m in fishing square 8/75 were located (620 kg during December-January and 2,200 kg during February). Deep sea lobster was found in good concentrations between 200 and 4(X) m in the fishing square 8/ 75 (250 kg in February). The comparatively hi gh CPUE of the above mentioned fishery resources based on averages worked out for specific fishing areas and seasons is discussed to indicate the possibilities of commercial exploitation of some of these resources which are yet to be exploited on a commercial scale from the offshore and deep sea areas of the Indian EEZ.