Influence of Hydrographic Condition on Catch Fluctuations of Flathead Flounder Hippoglossoides dubius, along the Coast of Fukui

Abstract

In order to identify the reasons forth e annual change of flathead flounder catch, the relationship between the water temperatures in the flathead flounder fishing ground and the catch was investigated. The investigation for the relationship between water temperatures in year t at 200m depth in the flathead flounder fishing ground and catch in years t+n (n=0, 1, 2, …, 9) were conducted. As a result, it was found that the catch was closely related to the average water temperature in March of years t-3, t-4, t-5, t-6 and t-7, at 200m depth (r=0.87). From the results of this study, it can be concluded that the catch was affected by water temperature. The continuous observation of water temperature in March, at 200m depth, made it possible to predict the catch of flathead flounder.