Publication Date:
2021-07-24
Description:
This study aimed to generate and assess the 10-year (2003-2012) data on estimated annual yield of tuna, the catch per unit effort (CPUE) of dominant fishing gears, catch composition, seasonality, and size composition of tuna species in Zambales Coast. This is in support to the implementation of the National Tuna Management Plan. Results were based on the landed catch recorded at the identified sampling site in major fish landing centers in Zambales. The tuna catch in Zambales showed an increasing trend from 2005 to 2011,the highest catch was observed in 2011 with 12,968 MT. The major tuna fishing gears observed in the area were purse seine, multiple handline, and ring net. The CPUE of the three dominant tuna fishing gears showed that purse seine, a commercial fishing gear, has the highest average CPUE with 1,678.52 kg/day, followed by ring net with 222.07 kg/day, and multiple handline, which is a municipal fishing gear, with 62.94 kg/day. There were eight species of tuna being caught in Zambales Coast. The most dominant species caught were skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis), followed by yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), and bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus). The monthly seasonal distribution of the three dominant tuna species was also assessed. Peak in the catch of Katsuwonus pelamis was recorded in the first quarter of the year. For Thunnus albacares, the highest catch was observed during the second and third quarter. The bulk of catch for Thunnus obesus appeared on every first and second quarter of the year. All of these species were observed to have almost consistent production in the remaining quarters of every year. Data on size composition of tuna revealed that most of the tuna species landed in Zambales were caught before they reach the length at first maturity. Among species caught, Thunnus albacares and Thunnus obesus recorded the highest percentage of small tuna.
Keywords:
Conservation
;
Fisheries
;
tuna
;
purse seine
;
multiple handline
;
ring net
;
catch per unit effort (CPUE)
Repository Name:
AquaDocs
Type:
article
Format:
application/pdf
Format:
application/pdf
Format:
25-33
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