FISHERY POTENTIAL ALONG THE INDIAN COASTAL WATERS BETWEEN PORBANDAR AND RATNAGIRI
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Authors
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S. N. GAJBHIYE
National Institute of Oceanography, Regional Centre, Sea Shell,
7 Bungalows, Versova, Mumbai-400 061.
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PRATIK MEHTA
National Institute of Oceanography, Regional Centre, Sea Shell,
7 Bungalows, Versova, Mumbai-400 061.
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S. MUSTAFA
National Institute of Oceanography, Regional Centre, Sea Shell,
7 Bungalows, Versova, Mumbai-400 061.
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VIJAYALAKSHMI R. NAIR
Abstract
As part of the ongoing marine pollution monitoring programme the
coastal stretch between Porbandar and Ratnagiri was considered to
assess the fishery potential. Regular experimental trawling was done
off Porbandar, Veraval, Diu, Hazira, Daman, Bassein, Bombay, Murud
and Ratnagiri at a depth range of 5-25 m during 1988 to 1992. The
catch rate varied from 1.2 to 225 kglh (av.20~3 kg/h). Zonewise maximum
catch (av.56.8 kg/h) was observed off Ratnagiri followed by off
Porbandar (av.30.1 kg/h), off Bombay (av.23.9 kg/h) and off Murud
(av.l9.8 kg/h). The area between Hazira and Daman was poor in fish
catch. In general, the catch rate showed a fluctuating trend during the
period of observation. Among the hundred species identified from the
collections the most common species were Coilia dussumieri, Johnius
glaucus, Scoliodon lati,caudus, Lepturacanthus savala, Harpadon
nehereus, Sardinella longiceps, Pampus sp. and Congresox sp. The
community structure and species assemblage at different zones are
discussed in detail.
