An assessment of the exploitation of the sardine stock off Vizhinjam, Southwest coast of India

The sardine resources at Vizhinjam have been assessed based on bi-weekly observations and the present level of exploitation has been studied using the surplus production model. The average annual sardine catch has been estimated at 272 tomes, constituted by seven, species, viz. Sardinella gibbosa (40.0%), S. longiceps (23.1%), S. sirm (20.7%). S. davi (9.8%), S. fimbriata (4.8%). S. sindensis (1.2%) and S. clupeoides (0.4%). Gill net, boat seine, shore seine and hooks and line were the main gears employed for the fishery with contributions of 62%. 34%, 3% and 1% respective1 y. The suitable model for the catch and effort data for sardine fishery at Vizhinjam during the period 1970-77 seems to be that of Fox (1970) using boat seine as the standard effort. The MSY (419 t) was higher than that of the average catch (272 t), but the effort to get the MSY was less (58000) when compared to the average standard effort (112000) during the period. The landing of the three important species of Sardines, viz; S, gibbosa, S. longiceps and S. sirm, were also assessed by using the Schaefer and Fox models separately with boat seine as the standard effort. This also showed a need for the reduction in the effort to get the MSY of individual species