On the emerging fishery of mackerel scad, Decapterus macarellus from Vizhinjam

Abstract

The carangids which constitute a major fishery at Thiruvananthapuram coast is represented by a variety of species. The scad (genus Decapterus) is the most abundant group of carangids in the area and is constituted chiefly by two species viz. Decapterus russelli and D.macrosoma. The emerging fishery of D. macarellus in recent years due to the exploitation of deeper fishing grounds by the motorised carfts is an indication of the availability of this species in the non-traditional fishing grounds.