The distribution and abundance of linefish and secondary trawlfish on the Cape south coast of South Africa, 1986–1990

Abstract

The distribution patterns and estimated biomass indices of 11 species of teleost, which are either minor components of the Cape south coast trawl fishery or of lesser commercial value than principal or target species, are described. Two are commercially important linefish (Argyrosomus hololepidotus and Argyrozona argyrozona) and three are trawl species of lesser commercial value (Chelidonichthys capensis, C. queketti and Helicolenus dactylopterus). Biomass indices revealed patterns which, in some cases, appeared to indicate stock decline. However, the estimates have to be treated with caution because of the limited time-series, particularly for species with restricted and patchy distributions.