Status of exploitation of tunas at Agatti Island, Lakshadweep

i'ole and line fishing for tunas is a vital component of the fishery of Lakshadweep \n'orming about 80% of the total tuna caught in these islands. The northern island of \n\\gatti is the largest tuna fishing area contributing 35-40%. During the period from \n1994 -'97, the annual average catch was 1,280 t with CPUE of 347 kg and CPUB \ncatch f)er unit bait) of 22 kg. Fishing season conunences from late November and \ncontinues up to May with peak catches during December to March. Skipjack \nKatsuwonus pelamis) is the major sjjecies caught followed by Auxis thazard, Thunnus \nilbacares and Euthynnus affinis. Fishing grounds near Agatti subscribed 54% of the \n;atch followed by Perumal Par forming 43%. The size of K.pelamis caught ranged \nirom 20 to 76 cm with modes at 48 and 54 cm. Of late, the tuna fishery of Lakshadweep \ns almost stagnant but there is scope for its expansion. In addition to the recommenlations \nmade by earlier workers to expand the fishery, there is an urgent need to \n>btain data on some major aspects like population dynamics, migratory behaviour, \ninvironmental factors influencing the distribution of various tima species and their \niggregation around logs, FADs and seamounts.