Secondary Production and Zooplankton Abundance in the Coastal Waters from Vengurla to Malpe, West Coast of India

Abstract

Secondary production and zooplankton abundance in surface and vertical hauls at different stations along 7 transects from Vengurla to Malpe, Maharashtra, India were studied. Zooplankton production varied with the depth of sampling station and type of haul taken. Secondary production values were slightly higher for the vertical (av. 26.17 mg C m/2 d/1) than for the surface samples (av. 24.5 mg C m/2 d/1). Highest (47.83 mg C m/2 d/1) and lowest (14.97 mg C m/2 d/1) values were obtained at 20 and 5 m depth stations. Copepods constituted the major component of zooplankton community (77.6 to 89.92U+0025). Cladocerans, chaetognaths and decapod larvae were abundant between 20 to 30 m depths which are the traditional fishing grounds. Relationship between zooplankton abundance and pelagic fishery in the studied area is discussed.