Demersal fishery resources of monsoon months along central west coast of India

An attempt is made to assess the potential demersal resources of the centra l west coast of India between lat, 13 degrees N- 18 degrees N, long 71 degr ees-74 degrees E during the southwest monsoon (June-Sept) season, from the data collected from 1983-1993. The monsoon period fishery resources are ide ntified as nemipterids from July to September in zone II (100-200 m) betwee n lat. 13 degrees N-17 degrees N. Priacanthids are found in patches mainly between lat.14 degrees-16 degrees N. The reefcods are found distributed alo ng lat. 14 degrees-15 degrees N in zone I and II during the end of August a nd September months and lat.14 degrees-18 degrees N in zone II during the e nd of September. The resources are concentrated in the region off Bhatkal a nd Vengurla respectively. Cephalopods are found concentrated between lat. 1 3 degrees-15 degrees N especially from 80 m-130 m from July to October from Mangalore to Bhatkal. Mackerels in the catches are found during June and J uly months along lat. 13 degrees-14 degrees N in zone I off Mangalore. Some resources which are known to concentrate during monsoon months therefore c an be exploited judicially.