| Resumo: |
The document presents results from the pelagic acoustic research survey, executed at the East zone of the Galápagos Islands, between April and May 1995. A total of ca., 15 500 km² was covered. The following species were identified in the catch: mackarel (Scomber japonicus), south sardine (Sardinops sagax), mictophids (Lampanyctus spp.), and small specimens of giant squid (Dosidicus gigas). Mean legth and weight for mackarel and south sardine were 26,3 cm FL/0,251 kg and 18,6 cm TL/0,051 kg respectively. The estimated density for small pelagic fish of comercial interest (mackarel and sardine) was of 10,5 km². The estimated biomass for mackarel was ca., 125 000 t whereas for sardine was ca., 36 000 t. The current results coincide with those of March-April 1991 and also de catch composition is very similar to the one obtained in April 1998 and December 1994. In conclusion: it exists a small pelagic fish stock for commercial fisheries in the zone; the diferent densities from the current and the december 1994 results (estimated fish density: ca, 4 t km²), suggest a biomass and distribution stational variation, associated to the oceanic dynamism seen in the zone.
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