Insight on the reproductive biology of small striped cuttlefish, Sepia prabahari in Gulf of Mannar, Indian Ocean and recommendation for a minimum legal size

This paper provides insight into the size composition and reproductive aspects of small striped cuttlefish Sepia prabahari distributed exclusively in Gulf Mannar (GoM) Biosphere Reserve, Indian Ocean which contributes 11% to cephalopod catch this region. The fishery varied between 4.6 14.6 cm dorsal mantle length (DML) group 8.1 10 dominated (45%). DML-weight relationship for male, female pooled sexes were 0.5561 DML2.31; 0.4821 DML2.39 0.5214 DML2.34 respectively. Observations on maturity stages indicated year-round spawning with two peaks. Maturity indices increased tandem gonadal development cuttlefish. Mean GSI females showed a multi-fold increase from 0.41 maturing 2.20 mature stages, while it 0.51 1.35 respective males. minimum legal (MLS) was set considering at 7.0 species. Lm50 estimated 9.2 DML males; 9.7 9.4 sexes, early maturation that nearly 53.7% commercial is below Lm50, 5% MLS. Management measures limiting fishing pressure sub-adults are recommended sustainable exploitation resource.