Bacteria detection techniques

Abstract

A few physical parameters and processes correlated with sardine landing could not establish a flawless connection, and explain the phenomena of inter-annual variability. Earlier researchers indicated that the probable appearance and disappearance of sardine is an active movement in search of food and congenial conditions. But, no specific study has been carried out to explain the variability of sardine catch based on chlorophyll availability on a synoptic scale. An attempt is made in this study to correlate variability in chlorophyll-a with sardine landings along the waters of southwest coast of India. We have estimated monthly averaged surface phytoplankton biomass along the waters of southwest coast of India from the shoreline upto 200 m isobath for ten years from SeaWiFS ocean colour data. This estimation is compared with the biological calendar of Indian oil sardine. The average chlorophyll-a for the bloom initiation month (1998-2006) matches very well with oil sardine landings. The results imply that the concentration of chlorophyll during the bloom initiation month can be used to assess the quantum of fish that recruit into the population. Finer scale spatial variations in the chlorophyll along the coastal waters help in deciphering the migratory pattern of sardine during their active breeding phase