Perch resources of the shelf waters in the EEZ of India

The present paper deals with the distribution and abundance of perch resources in the Indian EEZ, based on trawling operations by FORV Sugar Sampada during cruises 1-90. Perches are available at depths 23-250 m; including the 27 stations along the Andaman Sea these were present in 151 stations. Trawling at depths within 100 m was more productive than beyond 100 m. The species composition also showed different pattern from within 100 m and beyond 100 m depth. The total yield of perches from the bottom trawling operations was 12 tonne with an average catch of 86.67 kg/hr. Though west coast registered a higher catch than the east coast, the catch rate was found to be better from the east coast. Good (Perch grounds were located between 18° to 20°N and 84° to 87° E at 60-70 m depth off the northeast coast