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This study evaluates the catch rates, species composition and
reproductive biology of flotsam-associated fishes targeted by
ring nets off the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. Catch and
number of multiday boats operating with ring nets were collected at Beruwala fishery harbor on the southwest coast of
Sri Lanka, March to October 2013, by making fortnightly
field visits. Fish samples were collected randomly from the
unloaded ring net catches to analyze reproductive biology.
Twelve fish species belonging to four major families: Scombridae, Carangidae, Coryphaenidae and Balistidae were identified in the ring net catches and five species, Decapterus
russelli, Katsuwonus pelamis, Thunnus albacares, Elagatis bipinnulata and Canthidermis maculatus were predominant. An
average of 25 12% multiday boats landing at the Beruwala fishery harbor operated with ring nets each month, with
an average monthly catch rate fluctuating from 730 101 to
3924 1094 kg per boat per trip. Catch rates of tunas and
carangids were significantly higher than the other fish groups
(ANOVA; d.f. = 3, P < 0.05). Total fish landed by ring nets at
the Beruwala fishery harbor during the study period was
1456 tonnes. Species belonging to the family carangidae had
the highest percentage contribution (46.6%) to the ring net
landings followed by tuna (34%). Similar-size individuals
ranging from 24 to 31 cm were landed by ring nets, with all
landed individuals belonging to K. pelamis, T. albacares and
E. bipinnulata having immature gonads. The findings of this
study will be useful locally as well as regionally to manage
the ring net fishery and to aid in implementing measures to
manage the highly migratory tuna species
