Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture
Doi
Abstract
The fishery and stock dynamics of Trichiurus lepturus (Linnaeus, 1758) were studied in
the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for the period 2014-2019. The average annual
landing was 2,09,285 t and varied from 1,77,259 to 2,39,355 t. Trawl nets were the major
gear, contributing more than 85% with an average annual catch rate of 4.56 kg h-1. The
annual catch rate decreased over the years from 5.40 to 3.85 kg h-1. Landings (23,155-40,354 t)
and catch rates (4.24-8.67 kg h-1) were highest during the post-monsoon months
(September-December). Around 63% of the landings (1,32,072 t) were from the north-west
coast, with Gujarat alone contributing three-fourth (98,296 t) of it, followed by the
south-west coast (17%, 36,017 t), the south-east coast (12%, 25,322 t) and the north-east
coast (8%, 15,875 t). The von Bertalanffy’s growth equation was Lt
= 143.8 [1-e–0.48 (t + 0.03285)].
Natural mortality, Exploitation ratio and Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) were 0.76; 0.65
and 1,59,504 t respectively. Recruitment was substantial throughout the year with a single
modal peak during June-October. With lower lengths at first capture and recruitment and
with exploitation above the maximum permissible level and landings higher than MSY; the
species appears to be overexploited along the Indian coasts. The present study is the first
holistic report on the population parameters and stock status of T. lepturus from the Indian
EEZ
