Determination of density and distribution of commercial fishes (Argyrops spinifer- Carangoides talamparoides – Saurida tumbil) in Persian Gulf waters (Bushehr Province)

This study was conducted to determine density and distribution of commercial fishes (Argyrops spinifer- Carangoindes talamparoides and Saurdia tumbil)  by swept area method in Persian Gulf waters (Busher province). Sampling operation (27 hauls) was done by a trawler (Tabas class) with long 26 m and width 7.4 m in fishing season. Midwater trawl ned had a 72 m head rope and mesh sizes were 400 mm and 80 mm (stretched) in square and codend respectively. The averages of  CPUA  and biomass for Saurdia tumbil - Carangoindes talamparoides and Argyrops spinifer were estimated 218.21 ± 27.71 (kg/km2) and 8851.15 tons, 159.19 ± 22.11 (kg/km2) and 6457.02 tons, 171.75 ± 30.78 (kg/km2) and 6966.68 tons respectively. The results showed that the best depth of fishing effort for Argyrops spinifer and Saurdia tumbil was 30 m but for Carangoindes talamparoides was 20–30 m. The biomass of mentioned species in Motaf area represents the potential for commercial fishing in the spring. The results of this study indicated the water depth changes affected harvesting of two species Saurdia tumbil and Argyrops spinifer and had no significant impact on the species Carangoindes talamparoides.