On seasonal abundance of Threadfin breams off Visakhapatnam coast

Nemipterids contributed 10-12% of total catches of private mechanised boats which operated shrimp trawls off Visakhapatnam and the catches were landed at the Visakhapatnam Fisheries Harbour. Nemipterus japonicus, N. mesoprion, N. delagoae, N. luteus and N. tolu were the species caught. Out of these, N. mesoprion and N. japonicus contributed 51 and 45% of total nemipterid catches respectively. Seasonal abundance of different species of nemipterids were described in the present study. The seasonal abundance of N. mesoprion, which coincided with that of Decapterus russelii and Penaes indicus during March- April, suggests that the species enters the fishing grounds during the period of upwelling and the shoals later move away from the fishing grounds.