First record of tawny nurse shark, Nebrius ferrugineus (Lesson,1830) from the north-west coast of India

Sharks contribute about 2% towards the total marine fish landings in India and are fished mainly by hooks and lines. They are also caught by gillnets, trawls and purse seines as bycatch. Sharks are widely hunted for flesh, liver oil and fins which are mostly exported to south-east Asia.The species composition of sharks in Maharashtra comprised of Scoliodon laticaudus (86.2%), Rhizoprionodon oligolinx (3.9%), Rhizoprionodon acutus (0.7%), Carcharhinus sorrah (2.2%), Carcharhinus limbatus (1%), Carcharhinus macloti (0.1%), Lamiopsis temminkie (2.6%), Sphyrna lewini (2.2%) and Galeocerdo cuvier (0.7%)

Stranding of baleen whale Balaenoptera sp. at Satpati Landing Centre, Thane District, Maharashtra

A baleen whale was found washed ashore at Satpati Landing Centre, Thane District, Maharashtra on 01.04.2011 (Fig. 1). Total length was about 12 m and weight was approximately 10 t.Detailed morphometric measurements could not be taken as the whale was in highly putrefied condition

Fishery and biology of white sardine, Escualosa thoracata (Valenciennes) at Versova, Bombay

Gill net fishery exclusively for the white sardine, Escualosa thoracata, which started in mid-eighties at Versova, is described. During 1987-88 to 1991-92 periods, the annual average landing of the species was 202.2 tons with year to year fluctuations. The peak fishing season was during April-May. The size range of the species in the gill net was 41-105 mm and the von Bertalanffy growth parameters, L. and K, estimated by the ELEFAN program were 110 mm and 1.8 per year. The length-weight relationship was W=0.000001508 L(super 3.3946) for the males and W=0.000002561 L(super 3.2706) for the females. The food consisted of copepods, cladocerans and crustacean larvae. The size at maturity for the females was 82 mm and spawning took place during October - February period. The sex-ratio showed equal proportion except during January, July and October when females dominated in the catch

Scalloped hammerhead shark, Sphyrna lewini (Griffith landed by gillnetters at Sassoon Docks, Mumbai

A total of 650 kg of the scalloped hammerhead shark, Sphyrna lewini locally called as ‘kan mushi’ was landed by about 11 gillnetters at Sassoon Docks (old jetty), Mumbai on 22nd December 2010

Relationship between body size and certain breeding behavior in selected species of Elasmobranchs off Mumbai

Social organization in elasmobranchs is complex and poorly understood. In India, no specific studies on the behaviour of this resource have been published. Breeding behavior in six species of sharks, two species of skates and three species of rays were deduced from length frequency data in relation to body size and sex. The species of sharks investigated are Scoliodon laticaudus, Rhizoprionodon acutus, Carcharhinus macloti, Carcharhinus sorrah, Carcharhinus limbatus, Loxodon macrorhinus and Sphyrna lewini. The species of skates observed were Rhinobatos annandalei and Rhyncobatus djiddensis and rays were Himantura imbricata, Himantura alcockii and Gymnura japonica. Based on the present observations mating areas, pupping and nursery grounds for juveniles, segregation and aggregation of adults were recorded

Length-weight relationships of ten tropical finfish species from north eastern Arabian Sea, India

The length weight relationships (LWRs) of ten tropical finfish species from north eastern Arabian Sea, India were studied. Specimens were caught using a wide range of fishing gear mainly trawl nets (20–25 mm), dol nets or bag nets (20–40 mm) and gill nets (80–270 mm) operated in Maharashtra maritime waters during 2012–2016. The specimens were measured for total length, and weight, then dissected and the sex confirmed. Previously unavailable in FishBase, the detailed LWR of Polydactylus mullani is reported for the first time. Maximum total lengths presented for six species in this study are new records. The existence of a differential growth between male and female was confirmed for five species, which was not known earlier. The LWR data will be useful for deriving future sustainable management and conservation strategies

Report of two surgeonfishes, Naso reticulatus and Naso lopezi from coastal waters of Maharashtra, Arabian Sea

Fishes of the family Acanthuridae (Perciformes), called Surgeonfish, tang, and unicorn fish are common marine fishes observed in tropical and subtropical waters, with 85 valid species reported in 6 genera (Fricke et al., 2022). In Indian waters, Mohapatra et al., (2020) listed, 33 species of surgeonfishes under 5 genera, however, missed 2 species listed by Nair et al. (2014), ie Naso lopezi Herre 1927 and Naso thynnoides (Cuvier 1829), and another 2 species listed by Rajan et al. (2013) from Andaman waters ie, Acanthurus japonicus (Schmidt 1931) and Zebrasoma velifer (Bloch 1795), making the total surgeon fishes known from India to 37

Revival of fishery of the thinspine sea catfish, Arius tenuispinis at Mumbai, Maharashtra

Catfish landings by trawlers in Mumbai comprise of three major species viz., Arius dussumieri, Osteogeneiosus militaris and Arius caelatus with A. dussumeri, forming approximately 30-35% of the landings. However, of late the landings of Arius tenuispinis has showed an unusual upward trend at New Ferry Wharf, Mumbai and the species is observed in the catch almost throughout the year. Analysis of A. tenuispinis catch data from New Ferry Wharf during the period 1987 to 2012 clearly indicates collapse of the fishery of this species, showing signs of subsequent revival

First record of Bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas (Valenciennes, 1839) in commercial landings from New Ferry Wharf, Mumbai, Maharashtra

A female specimen of big eye hound sharkIago omanensis measuring 66 cm was landed at Mangrol fishing harbor on 17th September 2013. The specimen was collected along with 13 others of the same species. I. omanensis was not recorded earlier from Gujarat