Population characteristics unravel occurrence of distinct stocks of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) population in the Indian seas

Abdussamad, E M and Surya, S and Koya, K P Said and Rohit, Prathibha and Abbas, T M and Prakasan, D and Ismail, Shihab (2024) Population characteristics unravel occurrence of distinct stocks of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) population in the Indian seas. Indian Journal of Fisheries, 71 (1). pp. 144-149. ISSN 0970 - 6011

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Abstract

Fishery and biological observations of yellowfin tuna caught from seas surrounding the Indian mainland and its island territories have indicated the presence of biologically distinct stocks in the region. Those caught around the submerged mounts of Chagos-Laccadive Ridge in the Lakshadweep Sea, off Kerala-Karnataka coast exhibit early maturity, small size at maturity, short lifespan and a close association with sea mounts. In contrast, those caught off other coasts of the mainland, including Andaman waters, exhibit late maturity and larger sizes at maturity indicating a fishery dominated by larger-sized individuals. These findings suggest that the yellowfin tuna associated with the Lakshadweep Sea mounts constitutes a distinct stock, highlighting the necessity for comprehensive genetic, morphometric and population investigations to confirm their stock status.

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