Validation of fishing ground forecast for tuna purse seine fishery in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean by water temperature

According to the catch data and fishing times of skip jack in the purse seine fishery in the Western-central Pacific Ocean(WCPO)(140 °E-170 °E、10 °S-5 °N),and the environment data of different water layer temperature(0 m,12.5 m,237.5 m,287.5 m),appropriate temperature range was calculated by water layer for fishing.Production data in 2007 was used to validate fishing ground forecast by combination of appropriate temperature area in different water layers.It showed that appropriate temperature range in 0 m,12.5 m,237.5 m,287.5 m was 28.0-30.5 ℃,28.0-30.5 ℃,12.5-18.0 ℃ and 10.5-14.5 ℃,respectively.Fishing ground forecast score was the best by combination of appropriate temperature area in 237.5 m and 287.5 m water layer,which made catch ratio and fishing frequency reach 74.68% and 77.19%,decreased searching area by 57.16%.It was proved to be a balance between catching rate and searching area.