The catch composition of light falling-net fishing and its impact on fishery resources in the northern South China Sea

In recent years, a light falling-net fishery was rapidly developped in the South China Sea. It has increased fishing pressure on juvenile fish resources living in the northern shallow waters of South China Sea. A survey of the catch composition of light falling-net fishing was conducted on fishing ground along waters off Yangjiang, Guangdong Province, from April 27 to May 2, 2006, in order to identify catch composition of the net and its impact on fishery resources. The results showed that: (1) The main species caught were phototactic fish and cephalopod,including Loligo sp., Trichiurus haumela, Decapterus maruadsi, Scomberomorus commerson, Psenopsis anomala, Sepia sp., Thrissa kammalensis, Formio niger, Thryssa dussumieri and Trachurus japonicus; (2) The net had high catch rates of juveniles and might tend to damage marine fishery resources; (3) The main causes resulting in the high rates were smaller mesh size, greater light intensity and fishing ground closing to inshore. It is recommended that the regulation of the minimum mesh size be implemented and the management of the fishing gear be strengthened.