The ribbonfish fishery and stock assessment of Trichiurus lepturus Linnaeus off Kakinada, east coast of India

Abstract

Ribbonfish fishery in Kakinada is supported by six species viz., Trichiurus lepturus, T.russelli, Lepturacantltus gangeticus, L.savala. Eupleurogrammus mutirus and E.glossodon. They were exploited by trawls and gillnets throughout the year with peak during November-February. Production increased from 53 ton in sixties to 3,073 ton in nineties due to improved fishing effort and extension of fishing to distant deeper waters. Production of the main species, T. lrpturus varied between 1,759 and 4,685 ton during 1995-2000, stock from 2,172 to 7,809 ton and biomass from 408 to 2,519 ton. Maximum sustainable yield is 3,886 ton. Mainly zero year fishes supported the fishery. The species matures and spawns during the first year itself. Spawning and recruitment occur round the year with peak during November-March. Survival of spawn to present exploitation size varied between 0.004 and 0.04% during the period. The estimated fecundity was 40,250lfish or 100,628lkg body weight. Studies revealed that currently the resource is under heavy fishing pressure. Strategies for the management of stock and fishery are discussed.