Review of Fisheries Biology of Scomberomorus and Acanthocybium Species in the Western Indian Ocean (FAO Area 51)

Abstract

The seerfish group (Scomberomorus and Acanthocybium species) contributes less than 2% to the total landings from the western Indian Ocean (FAO Area 51, Fig. 1) (FAO 1994). Although its contribution is minor in quantity when compared with the landings of other major fish groups, it is considered as the prime fish in almost all the countries bordering this area. Seerfish fetch a higher price per kilogram than any other marine fin-fish landed in these countries. It is also a valuable export product in some of these countries (e.g., Oman). The high demand appears to have triggered over-exploitation of some stocks living in this region. Therefore, research studies are needed to assess these stocks to formulate appropriate management and development plans. Research studies in this region have focussed on the prime species, Scomberomorus commerson (Lacepede, 1800), and very little research effort is spent on the other species (Anon., 1995a). Primarily length-based stock assessment methods have been used (e.g., Kedidi et al., 1993; Pillai et al., 1993).