FISHERY AND BIOLOGY OF WHITE SARDINE, ESCUALOSA THORACATA (VALENCIENNES) AT VERSOVA, BOMBAY
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Authors
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S. G. RAJE
Bombay Research Centre of C.M.F.R. Institute) Mumbai-400 001.
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V. D. DESHMUKH
Bombay Research Centre of C.M.F.R. Institute) Mumbai-400 001.
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THAKURDAS THAKURDAS
Bombay Research Centre of C.M.F.R. Institute) Mumbai-400 001.
Abstract
Gill net fishery exclusively for the white sardine, Escualosa
thoracata, which started in mid eighties at Versova, is described.
During 1987-88 to 1991-92 period the annual average landing of the
species was 202.2 tons with year to year fluctuations. The peak fishing
season was during April-May. The size range of the species in the gill
net was 41-105 mm and the von Bertalanffy growth parameters, Loo
and K, estimated by the ELEFAN programme were 110 mm and 1.8 per
year. The length-weight relationship was W = 0.000001508 L 3.3946 for
the males and W = 0.000002561 L 3.2706 for the females. The food
consisted of copepods, cladocerans and crustacean larvae. The size at
maturity for the females was 82 mm and spawning took place during
October · February period. The sex-ratio showed equal proportion
except during January, July and October when females dominated in
the catch.
