On the occurrence of a giant mackerel, Rastrelliger canagurta (Cuvier) off Goa Coast

Abstract

On giant male specimen of Rastrelliger canagurta measuring 348 mm has been collected from purse seine catch on 15-1-1976 from Siridao area near the opening of river Zuari into the Arabian Sea. This, perhaps is the biggest size of mackerel recorded so far from the Indian coast particularly so from Goa area. Five juvenile mackerels were also collected from 20 meters depth from trawl catches in the month of December, 1975. This confirms the earlier suggestion of the author that perhaps at this stage of their life the juvenile mackerels are demersal in habit. Attempt has been made to show that mackerel has a prolonged breeding season with periodic breeding (more than once) which indicate the possibility of different races coming into commercial fishery in different stages of maturity. It is also pointed out that the percentage of mackerel landing in Goa area is of the highest order being 59.10% while taking into consideration the statewise marine catch of Goa, Karnataka and Kerala along the west coast of India