Abundance of sardine fish species in Bangladesh

The study was conducted during January, 2012 to December 2012 in the sardine fisheries which is occurred both in artisanal and industrial fishing sector in the marine water of the Bay of Bengal of Bangladesh region. During this study period the total landing amounts by weight of sardines were 7352.99 MT, among these 23.76% (1747.22 MT) was exploited by the artisanal mechanized boats and 76.24% (5605.77 MT) captured through different industrial fishing trawlers and contributed 17.51% of the total marine fish production by commercial fish trawlers during the study period. 4 sardine species have been recorded from our marine territory. Among them, 2 sardine species are highly abundant, Sardinella fimbriata total production volumes was 5495.79 MT (74.74%) contributed 1747.22MT (31.79%) from the artisanal and 3748.57MT (68.21%) from the industrial sector and Dussumieria acuta production amounts was 1857.20MT (25.26%) contributed only from the industrial fishing sector.Species wise contribution shows that S. fimbriata contributed 100% in the artisanal sector and in the industrial fishing S. fimbriata contributed 66.87% and D. acuta contributed the rest 33.13%. The distribution of the S. fimbriata is within 10-20 meters depth and abundance was observed in the southern part of the South patches and South of south patches (N: 210.09// -22, E: 920.04/-07 to N: 200.45/-25, E: 920.18/-56) and 10-50m depth in onshore and off shore areas in the north-west to north-east of Middle ground (Kohinoor point -N: 210.36/.23, E: 900.06/.43 to N: 210.18/.18, E 910.17/.57). The distribution of the D. acuta is within 40-60 m. depth and abundance was observed in the north-west to north-east of Middle ground areas (Kohinoor point - N: 210.36/.23, E: 900.06/.43 to N: 210.18/.18, E 910.17/.57) and south-west to south-east of Middle ground (Kohinoor point- N: 200-17/.29, E: 900.15/.21 to N: 200.29/.56, E: 910.24/.22) in the Bay of Bengal of Bangladesh region. The peak capture season of S. fimbriata is the rainy season in the artisanal fishing and in trawl fishing; the peak capture season observed in S. fimbriata are the ends of late autumn and to begin of winter season. The peak harvesting season of sardine species, D. acuta is the winter season. Highest catch was observed at night, in full moon and new moon period. Keywards: Total landing, Middle ground, South Patches, South of south Patches, Kohinoor point, Artisanal and Industrial fishing.