A Review of Indian Ocean Fisheries for Skipjack Tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis, and Yellowfin Tuna, Thunnus albacares

Skipjack tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis, and yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares, together comprise the most important component of Indian Ocean tuna catches. Catches of these species by Indian Ocean fisheries have been increasing over the last decade and totaled 262,300 metric tons (t) in 1986 (Fig. 1; Table 1). Skipjack tuna was the most important species at 32 percent of the total tuna catch in 1986; yellowfin tuna was the second most important at 25 percent. Skipjack tuna are found throughout the Indian Ocean from the Gulf of Arabia in the north to lat. 40°S (Fig. 2). Yellowfin tuna are also distributed throughout the ocean to about lat. 50�

Biology and Potential Use of Pacific Grenadier, Coryphaenoides acrolepis, off California

Grenadiers (family Macrouridae) are the most abundant fish on most continental slope areas worldwide. Off California the Pacific grenadier, Coryphaenoides acrolepis, occurs in relatively large numbers and may have marketing potential. This repon provides information on the biology of the species and catch results from a number of scientific cruises. Catch data on several other species found together with Pacific grenadier, panicularly sablefish, Anoplopoma fimbria, are also given. The fish were caught with a bottom trawl (15 trawls), and with free-vehicle longline gear (117 sets). The latter was a hook and line system in which the gear was dropped to the seafloor untethered to the fishing vessel, and floated to the surface, with the catch, when detachable weights were automatically released. Sablefish dominated longline catches in depths of 200-600fm (334-1,098m), while Pacific grenadier was most abundant between 600 and 1,OOOfm (1,098-1,830m). Best trawl catches of Pacific grenadier were made at depths between 615 and 675fm (1,125 and 1,235 m) and at 760fm (1,391 m). Ripe females were absent from our samples, but spent females were found during the entire year with highest numbers in the spring and early summer. Only one larva was found despite extensive sampling with plankton nets. Pacific grenadier was found to have good edible qualities by a taste-test panel, although the protein content (15 percent) and flesh yield (24 percent) were significantly lower than those of other fishes. A second species, the giant grenadier, Albatrossia pectoralis, was found to have exceptionally poor eating qualities and even lower protein content.

The Effects of Fish Trap Mesh Size on Reef Fish Catch off Southeastern Florida

Catch and mesh selectivity of wire-meshed fish traps were tested for eleven different mesh sizes ranging from 13 X 13 mm (0.5 x 0.5") to 76 x 152 mm (3 X 6"). A total of 1,810 fish (757 kg) representing 85 species and 28 families were captured during 330 trap hauls off southeastern Florida from December 1986 to July 1988. Mesh size significantly affected catches. The 1.5" hexagonal mesh caught the most fish by number, weight, and value. Catches tended to decline as meshes got smaller or larger. Individual fish size increased with larger meshes. Laboratory mesh retention experiments showed relationships between mesh shape and size and individual retention for snapper (Lutjanidae), grouper (Serranidae), jack (Carangidae), porgy (Sparidae), and surgeonfish (Acanthuridae). These relationships may be used to predict the effect of mesh sizes on catch rates. Because mesh size and shape greatly influenced catchability, regulating mesh size may provide a useful basis for managing the commercial trap fishery.

Cephalopod Resources of Venezuela

The cephalopod resources of Venezuela are reviewed, based on previous literature and observations from commercial catches. The history of the squid and octopus fishery in the major fishing grounds is presented along with information on the catches and seasonality. Squids are landed in Venezuela throughout the year, with a high in February when most of the catch consists of the arrow squid, Doryteuthis plei. Octopus, Octopus vulgaris, is abundant in the catches from June until October, with a peak in August-September. Methods of handling, processing, and marketing the cephalopod catch are discussed, and correctional guidelines are given. At present, the fishery is in disarray and there is an urgent need for study of Venezuela's commercial cephalopods.

Eden & District Fisheries Advisory Committee 14th October, 1975

This is the report from the Eden and District Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 14th October 1975. The report looks at the planning study for the post 1981 period and fisheries activities on the Eden and Esk. This section includes catches of miragtory, brown trout and coarse fish, the summary of the stocking carried out from Holmewrangle hatchery and Biological work undertaken on the Eden. It also contain sections on fish mortalities, new code of fishery byelaws and fishing licence duties. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Eden & District Fisheries Advisory Committee 28th June, 1977.

This is the report from the Eden and District Fisheries Advisory Committee, which was held on the 28th June, 1977. The report looks at the comments of the Regional Fisheries Officer which includes information on salmon, brown trout and sea trout catches in the River Eden; restockings from Holmwrangle Hatchery to some rivers: Eden, Esk and Tarn. Electro fishing information is also given by river (Cocker, Marron, Ellen, Glenderaterra, Ehen, Calder, Irt, Esk or Annas)and stream for 1977. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

South & West Cumberland Fisheries Advisory Committee 27th June, 1977.

This is the report from the South and West Cumberland Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 27th June, 1977. The report contains sections on water resources development in West Cumbria which includes essential short and long term requirements for conservation of migratory fish stocks in the River Ehen. The section on fisheries activities includes salmon, sea trout and brown trout catches; restocking; fish mortalities; fisheries investigations/gravel abstractions in Rivers Annas, Calder, Esk, Newlands Beck, St. John's Beck, Trout Beck and Caldew; and general activities held in Holmwrange Hatchery. It also covers prosecutions and electrofishing carried out in Rivers Cocker, Marron, Ellen, Glenderaterra, Ehen, Calder, Irt, Esk and Annas. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Eden & District Fisheries Advisory Committee 29th March, 1977.

This is the report from the Eden and District Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 29th March, 1977. The report contains sections on Fisheries income and expenditure, netting on the Solway Firth, water bailiffs on the River Eden and fisheries activities. The section on fisheries activities includes river conditions and salmon fishing in the River Eden and on the Border Esk; salmon catches from the Border Esk, Eden, and Solway; restocking; and fish mortalities. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

South & West Cumberland Fisheries Advisory Committee 28th March, 1977.

This is the report from the South and West Cumberland Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 28th March, 1977. The report contains sections on fisheries income and expenditure, licensing of salmon dealers, sea patrol of estuaries, proposed fish pass at Branthwaite Weir, and fisheries activities. The section on sea patrol of estuaries looks at the possibility of bailiffs in Derwent, Ehen/Calder and Esk estuaries carrying out sea patrols in places where salmon netting takes place. The section on fisheries activities includes information on the spawning season in 1976; salmon and sea trout catches; restocking and fisheries investigations regarding water quality. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

South and West Cumberland Fisheries Advisory Committee 2nd April, 1979

This is the report from the South and West Cumberland Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 2nd April, 1979. It covers the information on the 1978 water quality survey on the Derwent Estuary and the recommended long term objectives for inland river water quality. Also added is the report by the area fisheries officer on fisheries activities which comments on river conditions and fishing and an update on Holmwrangle hatchery including mortalities due to water quality and gill infections in brown trout. It also looks at pollution incidents on the River Ellen and Ehen, Yearl Weir fish counter and data of monthly salmon and migratory trout catches on rod, line, nets and fixed engines for the 1978 season. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Eden and District Fisheries Advisory Committee 3rd April, 1979

This is the report from the Eden and District Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 3rd April, 1979. It includes the information on the meeting about the possible reduction of haaf netting on the Solway Estuary. Also covered is the report by the area fisheries officer on fisheries activities which comments on river conditions and fishing for salmon, sea trout and coarse fish and an update on Holmwrangle hatchery including mortalities due to water quality and gill infections in brown trout. It also looks at fish disease, research work and data of monthly salmon and migratory trout catches on rod, line, nets and fixed engines for the 1978 season. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

South Lancashire Fisheries Advisory Committee 4th April, 1979

This is the report from the South Lancashire Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 4th April, 1979. It includes information on the match fishing experiment at Mitton Fishery, giving the total numbers of each species caught. Also covered is the report by the area fisheries officer on fisheries activities which comments on river conditions and fishing, migratory fish movements for 1978 recorded at Winckley Hall, Waddow Weir and Locks Weir and an update on Langcliffe hatchery including mortalities and stocking. It also looks at the spawning of salmon and sea trout in the Ribble and Hodder for the 1978 season and it gives the data of monthly salmon catches on rod, line, nets and fixed engines for the 1978 season. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Lune, Wyre & Furness Fisheries Advisory Committee 9th April, 1979

This is the report from the Lune, Wyre and Furness Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 9th April, 1979. It includes the River Leven and River Crake catchment study report, information on the match fishing experiment at Skerton Fishery, and the proposed net limitation order and fishery byelaws for the Lune and Wyre. Also covered is the report by the area fisheries officer on fisheries activities which comments on river conditions and fishing, migratory fish movements and fish spawning and an update on Middleton hatchery which gives the total number of ova laid down in the hatchery. It also gives numbers of brown trout stocked in the River Kent and it gives the data of monthly salmon and migratory trout catches on rod and line for the 1978 season. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Northern Area Fisheries Advisory Committee 30th March, 1981

This is the report from the Northern Area Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 30th March, 1981. It covers the report by the area fisheries officer on fisheries activities. This comments on river conditions and fishing for salmon and coarse fish, migratory fish movements, and an update on Holmwrangle hatchery. Finally the report adds about stockings by the Angling Associations, and the monthy catches of salmon and sea trout for the 1980 season. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Central Area Fisheries Advisory Committee 1st April, 1981

This is the report from the Central Area Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 1st April, 1981. It covers information on Rivers Leven and Kent fish distribution and water quality surveys 1980, authority works on Headwater Beck of the River Hodder and the River Douglas, the annual report on match fishing at Skerton and Mitton fisheries and the report by the area fisheries officer on fisheries activities. This comments on river conditions and fishing, migratory fish movement,an update on Middleton hatchery, salmon cages in Dalton-in-Furness, and Langcliffe hatchery. Finally the report adds about stockings by the authority, fish mortalities, fish disease and the monthy catches of salmon and sea trout for the 1980 season. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.