Review on status and biomass of pelagic fishery resources in the South China Sea area

Abstract

A series of acoustic survey had been conducted by MFRDMD by using MV SEAFDEC in collaboration with TD and other SEAFDEC Member Countries for the last 4 years. Since then four areas have been covered namely the Gulf of Thailand and East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak-Brunei and Sabah, Western Philippines and Vietnam waters. A similar study using KL CERMIN was also conducted in the EEZ of Malaysian waters in 1998. Both vessels were equipped with the scientific echo sounder FQ70, which is very reliable to collect back scattering values (sv) data that is useful for stock determination. Biological information for dominant species is provided through sampling program or fishing operations. Estimation of pelagic biomass was made based on biological parameters of representative species in each survey area. This paper will present the status and estimation of pelagic biomass based on collaborative study and national surveys conducted by Member Countries.