Species composition and resources density of Cephalopoda in the continental shelf of northern South China Sea

Based on the data of four seasons survey in the continental shelf of northern South China Sea from 2006 to 2007, the species composition and resources density of Cephalopoda were analyzed. The results showed that there were 28 species belonging to 8 genus, 5 families, 3 orders in the area. The predominant species were Loligo edulis, L.duvaucelii and L.chinensis. The catch rate of Cephalopoda gradually increased from east to west in the area, with the highest in transect A (11.95 kgh-1) and lowest in transect E (7.20 kgh-1). It also showed obvious seasonal variation in catch rate, higher in summer and autumn and lower in winter and spring, with average of 9.53 kgh-1. Cephalopoda distributed mainly in the depth of 60 m to 180 m with the most living in the depth of about 100 m. The resources density of Cephalopoda was 127.10 kgkm-2.