Fishery and population dynamics of silverbellies along the Kerala coast

The fishery of silverbellies along the Kerala coast has been described bringing out various craft gear combinations and the seasonal variation in abundance of different species. The Beverton-Holt yield per recruit analysis was made in all the five species that contribute to the commercial fisheries and the Fmax under the current tc and tmax under the current F have been determined and the status of the stocks of each species brought out. In all the five species the Fmax is shown to be less than the present F and the current age at first capture is less than the value that leads to increase the yields. Mixed fisheries assessment has been carried out in five species, which constitute about 90% by weight of silverbelly landings and the maximum equilibrium yield that could be taken was determined. The maximum equilibrium yield could be achieved at 25% of current fishing effort level and the current tc. Similarly, maximum equilibrium yield of silverbellies could be obtained at 200% of the current codend mesh size keeping the current effort constant