Size variation in neritic tuna landings at Male' fish market

Only two species of neritic tuna – Euthynnus affinis and Auxis thazard – are caught in the Maldives and is popular among local communities throughout Maldives. Male’ fish market is one of the sites across Maldives where large quantities of fish including the two species of neritic tuna are landed and sold for local consumption. This study was conducted over 2012 and 2013 to understand the seasonal variation in size of the two species of neritic tuna landed at the Male’ fish market. Regular visits were made to the fish market and the fork lengths of the two species were measured. Analysis of these measurements indicated that both species of niritic tuna landed at the Male’ market varies seasonally. Larger Euthynnus affinis are common at the market during the northeast monsoon (December to March). There was no clear size variation with monsoons in the Auxis thazard at the market.