Occurrence of growth rings on the otoliths of the Indian whiting, Sillago sihama (Forskal)

Studies on otoliths and scales for determining the age and rate of growth f Indian fishes have been reported only during comparatively recent years. It is well known that. the, otoliths and scales of several species of fishes in the temperate region possess distinct annular rings. This character has been extensively used in determining the year class composition of fish populations

Observations on the maturity and spawning of Indian mackerel, Rastrelliger canagurta (Cuvier) at Karwar

The present paper deals with the maturity and spawning of mackerel and incorporates the results of investigations carried out at Karwar from January 1955 to December 1958

Observations on mackerel fishery at Karwar for the seasons 1954-55 and 1955-56

It has been pointed out (Panikkar, 1956), that the mackerel and the sardines together support a fishing industry of very high magnitude, employing several thousands of people, and unexpected large-scale fluctuations are a serious handicap to the full utilization of the fisheries. An exceptionally poor yield of mackerel was noted during the last two seasons. During the 1954-55 and 195.5-56 seasons the total catches dwindled to 951-2 and 508-3 tons respectively from the high peak of 2,250 tons in 1951- 52. Thus the mackerel fishery which has been considered the mainstay of Karwar fishery dwindled to a mere shadow of its former flourishing state in the last two years