Studies on zooplankton from the Arabian Sea off the south-central West Coast of India

Abstract

Zooplankton biomass, composition and biochemical constituents were studied. Estimated average zooplankton biomass was 8.76 ml/100 m³. Of the major components constituting the zooplankton biomass, copepods formed the dominant group. Protein fraction was the major constituent in the proximate analyses. A average carbon content for the zooplankton in this area was 28.46%. C:N ratio varied from 3.87-10.24. Caloric value ranged from 2.117 to 3.317 kcal/g dry wt. Using the dry weight and mean value for carbon, the standing stock of zooplankton was estimated to be 407 mg C/m² for 200 m column. Annual harvestable yield computed from total energy contributed by phytoplankton and zooplankton for an area of 1,69,400 km² was 3,56,939 tonnes.