Distribution and abundance of carangids along the EEZ India

Distribution and abundance of carangid groups of fish along the EEZ of India \nbased on the data collected during 80 cruises undertaken by FORV Sagar Sampada \nis presented here. East coast of India showed maximum concentration of ctrangids \nwith a catch rate of 64 kg/hr along the northeast coast. The least distribution was \nnoticed along the northwest coast ( 5 kg/hr). Carangids formed up to a maximum of \n19 % of the total bottom trawl catch along the northwest coast. With more than 20 \nspecies of carangids reported to be caught in various cruises, Decapterus spp formed \nthe most dominant group, followed by species like Atule mate, Selar crumenophthalmus, \nCarangoides malabaricus etc. Depthwise distribution showed higher \ndensity in the 60-80 m range all along the coast excepting the Andaman-Nicobar \narchipelago. Areawise, higher densities of carangids were noticed at latitude-longitude \n7°N - 77°E, 1TN - 75°E, 1TN - 79°E, 14°N - 80°E , 18°N - 72°E, 19°N -85°E \nand 19°N -86°E. Seasonally, carangids were represented in the catch more during the \nmonsoon especially along the northeast and southwest coasts. Potential yield of \ncarangids along the EEZ of India is estimated to be 94971 tonne.