Fishery And Some Aspects of Biology of Major Species Of Sharks from Mumbai Waters

Abstract

The average annual landing of shark at New Ferry Wharf, Mumbai during 1991-2005 was 1,655 t, with a catch rate of 1.14 kg/hr, forming 2.6% of the total fish landing. Although there was an increase in trawling hours vet the annual catch and catch rate showed a decline from a maximum of 2,565 t (2.1 kg/hr) in 1993 to a minimum of 1,053 t (0.6 kg/hr) in 2005. The annual catch and catch rate exhibited a primary peak in September-December (51%) and secondary peak in January-March (4596). Sharks fishery during the period was supported by Scoliodon laticaudus (6696), Carcarhinus sorrah (4.5%), Rhizoprionodon oligolin (2.7%), C. macloti (2%), Sphyrna lewini (1.796) and R. acutus (1%). The length frequency data analysis indicated that 503 individual of majority of the species were immature. Sex-ratio showed females predominance in most of the species. The average litter number varied from 2 in Lamiopsis temminkii to 14 in lago omanensis. The length-weight relationships were not significant in R. acutus, C. sorrah, C limbatus, C. hemiodon, I. omanensis and S. lewini, whereas, it was significant in S. laticaudus, R. oligolinx and C. macioti.