Further observations on the fishery and biology of'Choodai' (Sardinella spp.) of Mandapam area

Abstract

The sardines, locally called Choodai, constitute one of the important groups of fishes supporting the fisheries of the Mandapam area. Sardinella albella and Sardinella gibbosa are the two important species forming the fishery. Previous studies on sardines in the area include observations made by Devanesan (1932) on the food and feeding habits and Chacko (1946) on the bionomics of S. gibbosa. Investigations have been in progress since 1952 at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Station (Sekharan, 1955 and 1959) on the Choodai fishery. The present study was undertaken from May 1958 to March 1960 as a continuation of the work.