Fisheries and Biology of Otolithes ruber (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) Catch of Small-scale Fisherfolk in San Miguel Bay, Philippines

Abstract

Otolithesruber (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) is one of the major fish catches in San Miguel Bay and its processing is a seasonal livelihood among coastal villages. This study documented and described the O. ruber catch of small-scale fisherfolks around the Bay through on-board survey and observation. Fishing trips from 10 September to 19 November 2018 demonstrated that fisherfolks used bottom-set gill nets and commonly explored the middle to the mouth of the Bay off Mercedes and Siruma to catch O. ruber and other species. The analysis of 434 composite fish samples bought from the fishing trips identified 222 female and 212 male fish individuals with TL of 19.14 + 0.11 cm and body weight of 70.76 + 1.46 g. The majority were already mature to spawning stages and gonads had no apparent lesions. The population’s reproductive capacity, based on the presence of numerous spermatocytes and oocytes, was presumed to be realized, but this may fail due to uncontrolled illegal fishing.