Do fluctuations in the somatic growth rate of rock lobster (Jasus lalandii) encompass all size classes? A re-assessment of juvenile growth

Catch rates in the South African rock lobster (Jasus lalandii) fishery declined after 1989 in response to reduced adult somatic growth rates and a consequent reduction in recruitment to the fishable population. Although spatial and temporal trends in adult growth are well described, little is known about how juvenile growth rates have been affected. In our study, growth rates of juvenile rock lobster on Cape Town harbor wall were compared with those recorded at the same site more than 25 years prior to our study, and with those on a nearby natural nursery reef. We found that indices of somatic growth measured during 1996–97 at the harbor wall had declined significantly since 1971–72. Furthermore, growth was slower among juvenile J. lalandii at the harbor wall than those at the natural nursery reef. These results suggest that growth rates of juvenile and adult J. lalandii exhibit similar types of spatiotemporal patterns. Thus, the recent coastwide decline in adult somatic growth rates might also encompass smaller size classes.

Seasonal growth of King George whiting (Sillaginodes punctata) estimated from length-at-age samples of the legal-size harvest

Samples of 11,000 King George whiting (Sillaginodes punctata) from the South Australian commercial and recreational catch, supplemented by research samples, were aged from otoliths. Samples were analyzed from three coastal regions and by sex. Most sampling was undertaken at fish processing plants, from which only fish longer than the legal minimum length were obtained. A left-truncated normal distribution of lengths at monthly age was therefore employed as model likelihood. Mean length-at-monthly-age was described by a generalized von Bertalanffy formula with sinusoidal seasonality. Likelihood standard deviation was modeled to vary allometrically with mean length. A range of related formulas (with 6 to 8 parameters) for seasonal mean length at age were compared. In addition to likelihood ratio tests of relative fit, model selection criteria were a minimum occurrence of high uncertainties (>20% SE), of high correlations (>0.9, >0.95, and >0.99) and of parameter estimates at their biological limits, and we sought a model with a minimum number of parameters. A generalized von Bertalanffy formula with t0 fixed at 0 was chosen. The truncated likelihood alleviated the overestimation bias of mean length at age that would otherwise accrue from catch samples being restricted to legal sizes.

On a rational criterion for assigning batch number to processed products of shrimps

Investigations were conducted to find the variability of processed shrimps with respect to two quality characteristics, namely, the numbers of deteriorated and discoloured pieces. Samples were collected for three days from two arbitrarily selected processing factories from Cochin at the pre-freezing stages. Results show that both the quality characteristics vary significantly between different size-grades, but while the variation in the number of deteriorated pieces between days is not significant, the variation in the number of discoloured pieces between days is significant.

The effect of mesh size on the fishing efficiency of sardine gill nets

The study deals with the effect of mesh size on the fishing power of gill nets. The authors have shown that there can be substantial difference in the out puts of sardine gill nets, of identical design and rigging, but of different mesh sizes, operated under the same conditions.

Note on the size groups of prawns landed by shrimp trawls of four different cod end meshes

A study on the different size groups of prawns caught by four shrimp trawls having different cod-end meshes was made by the author. The results indicate that small sized prawns of mean length 77.15 mm were captured by the net having 23.38 mm cod-end at 5-6 fathoms depth, medium prawns of mean length 105.22 mm was caught in 25.21 mm and 19.88 mm cod-end at 8 fathoms depth and big sized prawns of mean length 117.98 mm were caught in 21.29 mm cod-end. Further the relation of length on breadth of prawn is worked out to be : Bp=0.15 Lp - 1.50 where Bp and Lp are breadth and length respectively.

An interpretation of the data from "The effect of mesh size on the fishing efficiency of sardine gill nets"

The paper "The effect of mesh size on the fishing efficiency of sardine gill nets" [K.M. Joseph and A.V. Sebastian, Fish. Tech; 1(2), 180-182 (1964)] marks an important step in the progress of fisheries technology and biology in India.

On the operation of small shrimp trawls in shallow waters-scope-ratio and size-depth relation

Studies on small trawls seem to be comparatively less. These trawls are generally operated in shallower waters, where due to the limitations in the length of warp that could be released, size restrictions have to be considered for their efficient functioning. An attempt has been made to assess the effective scope-ratio of length of warp required for the operation of trawls at shallower depth and to a judge the size of trawl suitable for use at lower depths.

Influence of size, station time and satiation amount on prey handling time in Anabas testudineus (Bloch)

Satiation amount, satiation time and handling time of Anabas testudineus (Bloch), an air breathing predatory fish was experimentally estimated using guppy (Lebistes reticulatus) as prey. Weight of the fish and satiation time influenced prey handling time. As satiation time is related to the level of hunger, level of hunger was found to influence handling time of prey.

Effect of Lates calcarifer seed stocking on the survival and production of Indian major carps reared in a freshwater coastal pond in Konkan region

The experiment indicated feasibility of culturing Indian major carps seed with Lates calcarifer, if the size of Indian major carps is larger. In the present investigation the average growths of Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala are recorded as 1193, 1120 and 821 g, respectively, during the year 1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-2000 in 7.5 months. Complete harvesting of L. calcarifer is essential before stocking of new seed. The average growth of L. calcarifer was recorded as about 670 g during the above period. About 5000 numbers of Indian major carps fry per hectare can be stocked under the present culture system