Stock assessment of marine catfishes of India

Abstract

The marine catfish fishery of India during 1979-88 laid special emphasis on the stock and exfdoitationof two major species Tachysurus thalassinus and T. tenuispinis. These together constituted about 50% ofthe total catUsh landings of the country. Catfish production registered increase in the 1970-89 period, butthe high fishing pressure in the mechanized trawl and purse seine sector resulted in non-judicious harvestof spawnets or brooders, eggs or embryos and juvenile or sub-adults of catfishes. Because of this, the yieldof both the species suffered setback in the late eighties at most of the fishing centres. The exploilaticn levelof T. thalassinus was 0.88 at Veraval, 0.85 at Cochin and 0.84 at Visakhapamam with corresponding Emaxof 0.72,0.72 and 0.50. In Gujarat, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh the exidoitation of this species exceeded theannual average standing stocks. The exploitation rate <^ T. tenuispinis was 0.61,0.79 and 0.65 at Veraval,Mangalore and Cochin respectively. The corresponding Emu was 0.74,0.51 and 0.66. The exploitation washigher than the aimual average standing stocks in Gujarat, Kamataka and Kerala. The possible managementstrategies and remedial measures are discussed