Investigation on Results of Test Operations by Trawl in Northern Area of East China Sea

The results of the catches of test trawl fishing in the northern area of East China Sea for the past seven years(from 1981 to 1987)were investigated.The test fishing operations were conducted eight or nine times in the summer every year. The results obtained are summarized as follows. 1. It was inferred that the change in the fishing conditions is reflected in the difference of the catches and composition of the spesies of the fish caught. The highest caught species in this area is Hiratsumegani Ovalipes punctatus. 2. The main fishing area of the principal spesies(10 species)was divided into 3 areas: the area of shallower than 100m in depth, deeper than 100 m and stretching over both areas, A correlation was observed between the species of fish caught and the materals making up the sea bottom. 3. Gonads of Hime Aulopus japonicus were very immature and individuals having a mature gonad were not confirmed. On the other side, gonad of Sokokanagasira Lepidotrigla abyssalis were mostly immature but individuals having a mature gonad were not confirmed to any great extend. Young fishes of both species were not observed during the summer months