Cephalopod resources revealed by exploratory surveys in Indian seas

The areawise and depth wise cephalopod catches of fishing vessels of Government of India and some Agencies which conducted exploratory fishing in offshore areas have been presented and discussed. The exploratory fishing by Government of India vessels in Bombay-Gujarat region during 1977-80 yielded a maximum of 7,609 kg of cephalopods a year at a catch rate of 6.8 kg/h. The highest catch rates were recorded from the area 19-70 and the depth zone 80-89 m. In Visakhapatnam region the cephalopod catch was poor during 1968-75 but during 1977-80 the annual catch increased to 3,283 kg. The most intensively fished area \nwas 17-83. The catch was composed of four species of cuttlefishes and three species of squids. The results of trawl surveys in other parts of Indian waters are also dealt with.