Comparison of length frequrncy, distribution and abundance of cutlassfish (Trichiurus lepturus, Linnaeus 1758) in the habitats of this species in the Persian Gulf

This study was conducted to survey of distribution and abundance of cutlassfish (Trichiurus lepturus, Linnaeus 1758) as target species between the fishing grounds of Bushehr and Hormozgan provinces. Sampling operations were carried out during the summer season in Bushehr province and autumn season in Hormozgan province in 2013. The fishing operation was done using commercial trawler vessel with a length of 27 m, the width of 7.2 m during 73 times net hauling in the fishing seasons. The used net in this research was a mid-water trawl net with a polyethylene yarn and mesh size of 75 mm (stretched) in the codend. The highest length frequency of cutlassfish was observed in the length range of 84-92 cm and the least length frequency was in the length range of 28-36 cm. The biomass and mean CPUA in Bushehr were 17169.55 tons and 8624.42 ± 1076.58 (kg nm-2) and in Hormozgan were 7425.804 tons and 8105.74 ± 1529.87 (kg nm-2), respectively. Also based on depicted maps by GIS software and CPUA index, Most densities of trapped cutlassfish in Hormozgan fishing grounds were around Hengam and Greater Tomb islands, and in Bushehr (Motaf area), there was a horizontal distribution in the western waters of this province.