Acoustic estimation of fishery resources in southern continental shelf of Nansha area

According to the acoustic survey and bottom trawl of fishery resources in Nansha area ( 4N～6N) in 2013, we estimated the stocks and species composition of fishery resources in spring ( March to April) , summer ( June to July) , autumn ( September to Ocotober) and winter ( November to December) in southern continental shelf of Nansha area. The results show that the estimated biomass density ( XSD) and stocks of 146 species in spring were ( 11.10 14.43) tnmile-2 and 3.64 105 t, respectively. The estimated biomass density and stocks of 121 species in summer were (19. 60 21.46) tnmile-2 and 4.85 105 t, respectively. The estimated biomass density and stocks of 77 species in autumn were ( 8.70 3.87) tnmile-2 and 2. 23105 t, respectively. The estimated biomass density and stocks of 60 species in winter were ( 11.91 11.44) tnmile-2 and 2.13 105 t, respectively. Priacanthus macracanthus was the most abundant commercial fish in weight and its percentage to total catch was more than 30% in four seasons. Additionally, we analyzed the spatial distribution and seasonal variation of stocks of the species.