Review and prospects for resource biology of main marine demersal food fishes along the coastal waters of China

Historical investigation and the achievements of resources biology of main marine demersal food fishes along the coastal waters of China,with special regard to the ribbon fish(Trichiurus japonicus),small yellow croaker(Larimichthys polyactis),large yellow croaker(Larimichthys crocea)and black scraper(Thamnaconus modestus),are reviewed in this paper.This review covers the identification and classification of fish geographical populations and their spawning stocks,historical pattern changes,the structure of populations and stocks,age composition and growth characteristics,feeding habits,sex mature cycles,gonadosomatic index(GSI),fecundity of the spawning stocks,spawning grounds,feeding grounds,wintering grounds,migration routes,assessment of amounts of nature resources and catches,adjustment of fishing boats,and restricted measures for fishing effort.The prospects and problems of resource biology of main marine demersal food fishes along the coastal waters of China are also discussed.