| The yield of associated and dependent species taken as bycatch by the purse seine tuna fishery from the Indian Ocean pelagic ecosystem is estimated from data collected by scientific observers aboard Soviet purse seiners in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO), 1986-1992. A total of 494 sets on free swimming schools, whale shark associated schools, whale associated schools, and log associated schools were analyzed. More than 40 fish species and other marine animals were registered. Among them only two species, yellowfin and skipjack tunas, are target species. Average levels of non-tuna bycatch equal 0.518 t per set, 27.2 t for 1,000 t of target species. By the author’s estimates, the annual catch of yellowfin and skipjack tunas in 1990-1995 of the total... |
