The bottom trawls operated by FORV Sagar Sampada in the southeastern
Arabian Sea revealed the existence of grounds with potentially rich unexploited deep
sea finfish resources. Chlorophthalmus sp. formed the most dominant species with
catch rates of 4.6 tonne/hr at lat. 8°56' N long. 73° 35' E and 4.2 tonne/hr at lat. 8°55'
N, long. 73°35'E. Cubiceps rmtalensis with catch rates of 2.8 t forms the next
important species. Maximum catch rate of deep sea fish was observed at depths
ranging from 300 to 350 m. The other major exploitable species include Neopinnula
orientalis, Pseneopsis cyanea, Chascanopsetta lugubris, Priacanthus hamrur
and Chlorophthalmus bicomis. Information on some aspects of biology of fishes
landed in fairly good quantity are also dealt with. Concentrations of deep sea fish
resources are found in comparatively shallower depths in the northern latitudes
whereas a wider distribution is seen in the southern latitudes
