Spatial and temporal distribution of mullets in Iranian waters of the Caspian Sea

Subject Areas : New Technologies in Aquaculture Development

Received: 2021-02-03 Accepted : 2021-02-03 Published : 2014-08-23

Keywords: Density, Caspian Sea, Distribution, Keywords: Mullets, Bottom trawl,

Abstract :

Abstract[1] The main objective of the present study was to determine spatial and temporal distribution of mullets by using bottom trawl in depths 10-100 m in Iranian waters of the Caspian Sea, during 2008-2011. During 8 surveys the catch and CPUE (catch per unit effort) of mullets had a decrising trend. The total catch of mullets declined from 3064 kg in spring 2008 to 93 kg in winter 2011 and the average (±S.E.) of CPUE were 63.8 (±17.77) and 2.9 (±1.58) kg/0.5 hr-1, respectively. The spatial and temporal distribution showed that most of mullets concentrated in depth <20 m, in central and eastern Caspian in spring and the maximum CPUE was 152.8 (±73.26) kg/0.5 hr-1. In summer, the CPUE declined that the maximum was 10.0 (±2.74) kg/0.5 hr-1 in depths <20 m, in eastern coastal zone. In autumn, due to the migration of mullets to south Caspian, the CPUE increased sharply (the highest CPUE was 136.0±26.38 kg/0.5 hr-1 in eastern region). In winter, the concentration of mullets declined again which the maximum CPUE was 41.7 (±7.73) kg/0.5 hr-1 in depths <20 in eastern region. Acording to the present study, most of mullets concentrated in depths <20 m in all seasons. For wintering, mullets migrate to Iranian coastal zone during autumn and subsequently the commercial catches of the species increase. * Corresponding Authors; Email: [e-mail]