Stock assessment of silverbellies of India with particular reference to Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu

Along Indian coasts, the silveifoellies are exploited by trawl and aitisanal gears but bulk of the landings are obtained by tiawlt which operate up to SO m depth. During 1979-83, the estimated annual average silvetbelly landings were 69 000 tonnes, whereas during 1984-88 these were 62 000 tonnes. Maximum silveibelly landings were obtained in Tamil Nadu which contributed 70.5% ol total all-India silverbelly landings followed by Andhra Pradesh (9%), Kerala (8.4%), Kamataka (6%) and other sutes (6.1%). Out of 20 species of silveibellies, known to occur in the seas around India, LeiogiuUhus bindus and Secutor insidiator were most dominant along Andhra Pradesh and northern Tamil Nadu coasts, together contributing to 64% and SS% respectively of tilveibeUy landings. Along southern Tamil Nadu, L. joiusi and L. dussumeri were most dominant together forming about 60% of silvetbelly catch in the region. The available information on the biology of different species from several localities along Indian coast was reviewed. Parameters of growth and mortality of dominant species were estimated. Stock assessment was made separately for L. bindus and 5. insidiator and then mixed fisheries assessment made for these two species combined from Andhra Pradesh and itonhem Tamil Nadu. From southern Tamil Nadu coast, stock assessment was made forL.jonesi and L.dussumieri separately and combined. Along Andhra Pradesh coast, the effoit level was found greater than the'one yielding MSY in the existing fishing grounds. In noitheiti Tamil Nadu there was scope to increase the fishing effort to get MSY. In southern Tamil Nadu yield can be increased by about 1.5% through increasing the effort by 40%. The assessment of yield of Z.. bindus and 5. insidiator in relation to cod end mesh size of trawl along Andhra Pradesh showed the need to reduce the cod end mesh size by about 40%. In northern Tamil Nadu also more or less similar situation existed. In southern Tamil Nadu, the MSY corresponded to the existing cod end mesh size and, therefore, did not warrant any change in the latter.