Optimizing mesh size of gill nets to capture the skipjack tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis (Linnaeus) in Thoothukkudi, south east coast of India
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Authors
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N Neethiselvan
Department of Fishing Technology and Fisheries Engineering
Fisheries College and Research Institute, Thoothukkudi - 628 008, India
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D Jude
Department of Fishing Technology and Fisheries Engineering
Fisheries College and Research Institute, Thoothukkudi - 628 008, India
Abstract
<!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} -->Katsuwonus pelamis, a coastal tuna popularly called ‘skipjack’ form a commercial fishery in Thoothukkudi coast from June to September in gill nets with mesh size ranging from 60 to 135mm. The fishery is mainly constituted by length group ranging from 325 to 725 mm. The study deals with optimization of mesh size to capture the commercially significant size group (451-600mm) which contributed about 77.4% of the annual tuna landings of Thoothukkudi during the year 1999. The optimum mesh size for commercial exploitation of K. pelamis in Thoothukkudi is estimated as 125 mm. Gill net with 125 mm mesh size would capture length groups which have crossed length at first maturity and hence would pave way for the sustained fishery of K. pelamis in this coast
