On the seasonal hooks and line fishery at Pamban, near Mandapam

Abstract

Iron hooks of about 7 cm long, numbering about 1000 - 3000 are operated from each boat with monofilament line of about 1 mm thickness. Sardinella spp. are used exclusively as baitThe maximum catch was brought in February and the minimum in January. Lethrinus spp. (34.01%) and Lutjanus spp. (22.95%) were the most dominant species landed by hooks and line. Sharks (9.58%), rays (8.36%) Epinephelus spp. (6.87%) Plectorhynchus spp. (4.73%) and Pristipomoides spp. (4.67%) were the other important species caught during the period. Size ranges in Lethrinus spp., Lutjanus spp. and Epinephelus spp. were, respectively, 160 - 775 mm, 150 - 685 mm and 200 – 800 mm.