Observation Report on Tuna Longline Fishing Operations in the Bay of Bengal Onboard R.V. Sumruatpramong 4

Abstract

Our first observation cruise to study mew design tuna-longline operations was on board the Shinyo-Maru in the Bay of Bengal from Feb. 9-28 1991. In order to continue this study we proposed to the SEAFDEC Council Committee that further studies be carried out on this fishing gear in 1992-1994 The proposal was approved. During the period 24 February to 25 March 1992 R.V. Sumruatpramong 4 was scheduled to carry out a survey using tuna- long line in the Indian Ocean. As we wanted to accumulate as much information as possible for our studies we took this opportunity to join R.V. Sumruntpramong 4. R. V. Sumruatpranong 4., is a S18 GT research-vessel belonging to the Oceanic Fisheries Division Department of fisheries, Thailand. Her activities are generally to carry out research project on tuna and offshore fisheries and to search for their fishing grounds. In 46 1992 R. V. Sumruatpramong 4 with 46 ship's staff and researchers carried out a survey and research projects in the Indian Ocean and Andanaan Sea, looking especially at tuna resources. Tuna-longline fishing gear used on board R. V. Sumruatpramong 4 was different from the Shinyo-Maru fishing gears. There was an experiment using three ply nylon monofilament but mostly the original popular design of tuna- longline which is used throughout the world was used. The tuna resource survey, using long line, was scheduled from 25 February to 15 March 1992 in the Bay of Bengal. (Fig. 1) To collect more information on tuna- longline fishing operations and the fishing ground conditions, we got approval to be on board R.V. Sumruatpramong 4 from 25 February to 15 March 1992 as observers. We embarked and disembarked the Phuket research vessel at the Phuket Marine Biological Center pier. Leam-Punva.