PELAGIC FISHERY RESOURCES OF LAWSON'S BAY, WALTAIR

Abstract

At Lawson's B;y, the gears employed are shoreseines, boatseines, hooks
and lines, surface g!llnets and bottom-set nylon nets. During the period 1970 to
1974, the estimated total annual landings by all gears were 654. 8, 62?.0', 577.<)8,
542.4 and 637.3 tonnes, respectively. The ca'iches by hooks and lines alone
accounted for 50-60% of the tot.l landings during the period. Seasonal abundance
of fish showed correlations with hydrological and planktological conditions and
the food avalable in environment. Far pelagic fi&hes, high catch rates were obtained
during Novem'ber to May and to a lesser extent during July-September. Prawns
were caught in greater proportions by gillnets than by boat seines, the former
being employed during May-September period. The adverse effects arising out of
the introduction of bottom-set gillnets in the fishery are discussed.