Determination of Catch per Unit of Area (CPUA), biomass catch composition of Bottom Trawl demersal resources from Sistan and Balochestan province coastal waters

Abstract

Biomass, Catch per Unit of Area (CPUA), distribution and catch composition of Bottom Trawl demersal resources from Oman Sea (Sistan and Balochestan province coastal waters) were investigated in this study. Data were collected in one research cruise by using R/V Ferdows-1 during 2016. The study area was stratified into 5 strata (M to Q) and 4 Substratum covering the depths of 10- 20, 20-30, 30-50 and 50-100 m in the Oman Sea. A total of 92 stations were selected in a random stratified design distributed in different depths and area. The swept are method was used to access and estimate the amount of biomass and CPUA. Result indicated that the percentage of density of demersal resources in the M Stratum (Biahi to Galak estuary) and Stratum Q (Bersi to Gwatr) had the highest value of biomass and CPUA. Also depths of 10-20 m had lowest value CPUA and biomass of commercial, non-commercial and total species. The amount of biomass in depth of 50-100 m was 4.1 times higher than that of depth 10-20m. Maximum CPUA of commercial, non-commercial and total species was estimated in strata M, M and Q and M respectively. Aroun100 species were identified in this study; the results of the study suggest that high density of commercial species distribution concentrated in West-coast, while non-commercial resources observed in East coast of Sistan and Balochestan province. The Result of this study is beneficial for objective management of Demersal Resources exploitation in Oman Sea.