Observations on the fishery of Bombayduck, Harpodon nehereus (Hamilton), along the Saurashtra coast

The bombayduck, Harpodon nehereus (Ham.), formed 68 to 77% of the Dol net landings at Nawabunder along the Saurashtra coast. Estimated catches of 4,700 t, 2,690 t and 3,560 t were landed respectively during the years 1976-77, 1977-78 and 1978-79. The catch per haul declined from 126.7 kg to 57.8 kg over the period. Generally, the season begins with September with high catches, but by the end of January the catch declines. With intensive recruitment of fish during February-March and with the suspension of fishery during June-August because of the monsoon, the stock, however, gets replenished for the coming season. The size composition of fish reveals that the bombayduck fishery is mainly on juveniles. The size group 45-60 mm is dominant in the catch in most of the months. The adult fish form only 8.5 to 11.8% of the catch. The percentage of adult fish is still less during February-May (4.4%). The fish appears to attain the size of 199 mm during first year, 288 mm during second year and 330 mm third year