Some consideration on the relationship between environmental factors and the distribution of fisheries resources in the South China Sea and the Andaman Sea

Abstract

This paper discusses the relationship between environmental factors and the distribution of fisheries resources in the South China Sea and the Andaman Sea, based on the oceanographic and fisheries resources data collected by R/V CHANGI from November, 1969 to March, 1973. The fish catch is related more to the bottom topography than the bottom feature of the sea. Good mean catch (> 200 kg/hr) was obtained in up welling regions at the steep continental slope in areas off the north and the east coast of the Andaman Sea, and in areas with boundary zone at the flat area along the east coast of Malay Peninsula. The distribution of fisheries resources was also related to the hydrological factors. In general, better catch (> 116 kg/hr) was obtained from areas having depths of 45—65 m, salinity range of 32.0 — 33.5 ‰ and bottom temperatures above 23°C. However, in the coastal waters off Sarawak and North Andaman Sea (off Burma), good fishing grounds were characterized by low salinity, low temperature and high nutrient contents, suggesting the influence of freshwater discharge in the area. Abundant occurrence of coastal water fishes were found in these areas. From the present analysis, it appears that the combination and interaction of both hydrological and topographic conditions are important factors contributing towards the formation of good fishing ground in the surveyed areas.