Observations on the demersal fishery resources of the coastal and deep sea areas of the Exclusive Economic Zone of India

This paper deals with the results obtained in cruises 1 to 49 undertaken by FORV Sagar Sampada during the period 1985- '88. Fishery resources obtained from the south, central and north zones along the west and east coasts and from the Andaman-Nicobar Archipelago were analyzed in estimating the yield. While southwest zone had the maximum yield, central-east zone had lesser concentration of fishes. Nemipterids formed the dominant group along both the west and east coasts. Depth-wise, 151-398m depth range had the maximum catch along the west coast, contributed mainly by the deeper waters of the southwest zone. Along the east coast and Andaman-Nicobar Archipelago, 51-100 m depth range yielded the maximum catch. Species composition of the catch, indicated the occurrence of unconventional forms like Psenopsis spp. Trichiurus auriga, Chlorophthalmus agassizi, Neoepinnula orientalis and Cubiceps spp. in addition to the conventional forms especially in the deeper waters of the southwest zone. Relative abundance of major species and their productive areas are also indicated