Plan for a pelagic fish assessment survey, North Arabian Sea
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In the plans for resource assessment surveys of the Indian Ocean Fishery Survey and Development Programme, the highest priority has been given to a survey of the pelagic resources off the North Arabian Sea. The main aim of this survey, based primarily on acoustic observations of fish, is to provide information on the identity and size of the major stocks and their exploitable level, the main patterns of distribution and their general life history and behaviour. Even though problems of target ide ntification still exist, the usefulness of acoustic methods has been demonstrated in a number of applications. This plan describes the instruments and tools to be used for the survey and also discusses the principles of the methods to be employed. The efficiency of a survey is limited by weather and ship size. A ship of not less than 150ft in length is recommended and it is assumed that the survey based on echo-sounding and trawling can be carried out through the whole year with the exception of the month of July, when the monsoon is at its peak. Because of the poor knowledge of fish distribution and behaviour in the Arabian Sea the survey coverage should be as frequent as possible and should extend over one year in order to compensate for annual variations in abundance and distribution of stocks. To provide adequate coverage, two vessels will be required for two years on the basis of 200 to 220 days of work per year. Close coordination with other surveys and investigations in the area should be established and the investigatory methods standardized. While the study of the physical and chemical processes of the Arabian Sea are not given high priority, such processes will be observed as part of the study of the nexus between distribution and behaviour of fish and environmental factors, as well as for their general oceanographic value. All data and observations will be logged on special forms, processed on a seasonal and area basis and evaluated. Quarterly reports will be submi tted and a status report prepared after one year of operation.