| The occurrence of gurnard Prionotus stephanophrys was studied in the course of a series of fisheries research cruises on the Ecuadorian continental shelf between 1980 and 1985. The species is common in coastal waters south of 1°S . Its abundance is very variable, possibly associated with sea temperatures. Normally densities are between 0.8 and 1.6 t.km-2. The standing stock varies between 13,000 and 150,000 t wich it is estimated can sustain catches of around 4,000 t pet year, and up to 40,000 t in times of great abundance. P. stephanophyrs is found in large shoals on the bottom during the day but a night moves up into mid-water to feed on euphausids. The fish caught had size range of 12 cm to 37 cm, but the majority were between 16 cm and 21 cm in total... |
