Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Observations of certain environmental parameters in relation to surface tuna fishery at Minicoy Island, Lakshadweep.

Volume 28 Issue 1&2

C. V. Mathew and G. Gopakumar

Abstract

Environmental parameters viz. surface temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, zooplankton biomass and availability of forage fishes were studied in relation to surface tuna fishery at Minicoy Island. A surface temperature range of 28°C to 31 °C and salinity around 34 %o were found to be optimum for tuna schools. Dissolved oxygen was not found to act as a limiting factor. Zooplankton biomass was found to influence the tuna catch indirectly through the abundance of forage fishes.

Date : 31-12-1986