OBSERVATIONS ON THE CATCHES OF THE MECHANISED BOATS AT NEBNDAKARA M. D. K. KUTHALINGAM, P. LIVINGSTON

Abstract

The catch data of the mechanised boats for the period from August 1969
to July 1971 revealed that the area off Neendakara is a potential trawling ground
for prawns and other ground fish, with an estimated annual total catch of 12,079
tonnes. Observations also indicate the area off Neendakara to be a potential fishing
ground for quality fishes such as seer fishes and tunas which are caught in surface
gill nets. Trawl catch formed the main bulk of the landings constituting 92.8%
and gill-net catch formed the cest. Details of the catch rates by trawl and gill nets,
and of biological aspects such as size range, maturity, sex ratio and food and
feeding habits of the important species of fish in the trawl catches are also presented
in a chart.