Results of YugNIRO studies of fish resources in the Indian and Southern Oceans

• Main Authors: Budnichenko, V.A., Gubanov, E.P., Demidov, V.F., Ivanin, N.A., Romanov, A.V., Romanov, E.V., Pinchukov, M.A., Piotrovsky, A.S., Prutko, V.G.
• Format: Other Non-Article Part of Journal/Newspaper
• Language: Russian
• Published: 1997
• Subjects: Krill fisheries; Organism aggregations; Total allowable catch; Expedition reports; Fishery potential; Living resources; Oceanology; Hydrodynamics; Recruitment; Biotic factors; Channichthys; Chaenodraco wilsoni; Pleuragramma antarcticum; Antarctic; Cooperation Sea; Indian; Murray Ridge; Scotia Sea; Southern Ocean; Weddell; Weddell Sea; Antarc*; Antarctic Krill; Euphausia superba
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1834/15470

History of YugNIRO research of biological resources in the Indian and Southern Ocean was reviewed. It was mentioned that during 1961-1991 in the expeditions of YugNIRO and corporation Yugrybpoisk there were made about 12000 trawl hauls in more than 115 trawl surveys in the area of the Indian Ocean except its Antarctic part. The analysis of the collected data combined with the data of the complex oceanological research allowed to understand the specific features of Indian Ocean productivity and its fisheries potential. Indian Ocean was divided into three zones: oligotrophic, mesotrophic, and eutrophic. Estimated fish biomass for each zone is presented. As a result of YugNIRO fisheries research in the epipelagic zone of the high seas of the Indian Ocean it was shown that the most promising species for commercial fishing would be tunas (Thunnus, and Katsuwonus genera), oceanic squids Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis, sharks, and Atlantic saury (Scomberesox saurus). The detailed trawl and echo sounding surveys of the continental slope near the Arabian coast (Gulf of Aden, Somalia, Oman coast) and Hindustan coast (in particular, north- and south-west of the area) as well as at the seamounts in the central part of the Arabian Sea (Murray Ridge) shows the absence of significant and stable commercial fish aggregations in most of the areas under survey. Deepwater areas of the Indian Ocean: the continental slope and thalassobathial located in the temperate zone have potential for the development of the fisheries. Moreover, as it was demonstrated with the example of the Southwest Indian Ridge, at several seamounts relatively small catches of fish are compensated by their high price and demand at the World market. In 1997 it was 30 years since the beginning of YugNIRO research in the Southern Ocean (its Indian and Atlantic sectors). There have been found the significant resources of the fish (Nototheniidae, Channichthyidae, Pleuragramma antarcticum) and Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) which were exploited by the former USSR ...