Visual observation on fishes schooling and fishing activities in the South China Sea, Area III: Western Philippines

Abstract

Many schools of small bonito were observed at latitude 18°-19° N, longitude 118°-119° E, school of pompano dolphinfish Corphaena equiselis (Linnaeus, 1758) was also found and sampling during lured by light at night. Surface schooling of yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares Bonnaterre, 1788) skipjack, Katsuwonus pelamis (Linnaeus, 1758) were found at latitude 14°-15° N and longitude 117°-118° E. Many fish schools were observed through acoustic equipment, Furuno FQ-70 at near shore of Zambales and off shore at latitude 13°-14° N, longitude 117°-118° E, in the deep layer of 100-250 meters depth. Oceanic squid has widely distribution over the area. Fishing activities are target on those resources. Tuna longline fishing operation was observed at latitude 16°-17° N and longitude 116°-117°E about 150 nautical miles away from shore. Payaws were set along the coastal line from northern Luzon until northern of Palawan and from near shore until 30-80 nautical miles away from coastline. Payaw in the central part were aimed for purse sein operation while the northern Payaw aimed to handline fishing. Handline fishing occupied all most near shore area from northern to the south. Squid fishing was observed many near San Fernando.