Report of the Thai-SEAFDEC Joint Fishery Oceanographic Survey in the Central Gulf of Thailand (16 May-9 June 1984) Volume I

Abstract

The work on fishery oceanography is only at the initial stage in the Southeast Asia, despite a number of studies on fisheries resources and the oceanic properties which have greatly expanded since the 1960s. On the effects of various parameters of oceanic environment which play an important role in determining the productivity of resources available to fisheries in all regions.

The coastal areas of the gulf of Thailand up to the 40-meter depth were studied extensively by the Thai Department of Fisheries during the past two decades. The central part of the gulf , however, was studied less. The SEAFDEC Training Department initiated a joint survey of the central part of the Gulf in 1984, in cooperation with the Thai Department of fisheries and other research institutes in Thailand, with a view to collect and compile information on fishery oceanography of this area for further study in the futures.

The present volume contains the reports on the investigations on stock density of demersal fishes, marine bivalves, and results of bottom vertical longline experiments in the central part of the gulf of Thailand. The fisheries oceanographic conditions, distribution of nutrients and dissolved organic carbon as well as the distribution of phytoplankton in this area are also presented. In addition, a study on food composition found in the stomach of squids is included.

The second volume of this Report is under preparation. It is our sincere hope that this Report would serve as a stepping stone in fulfilling the information gap for better understanding of the Gulf of Thailand.