The tuna fishery off northwestern Luzon: catch of purse seines and hand lines operating around fish-aggregating 'payaw'

Abstract

The tuna fishery along northwestern Luzon was studied from March 1994 to April 1995. About 120 units of fish aggregating ‘payaw’ were set 20–100 km offshore and fished by about 350 handline boats and 6 purse seines. The handline landing areas were in Apatot, San Esteban, Ilocos Sur and in Darigayos Cove, La Union. The resident purse seine was based at Poro Point in San Fernando, La Union; the others were occasional operators. Skipjack tuna Katsuwonus pelamis was the primary species landed by the purse seine and yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares was mostly landed by the hand lines. These species occurred year-round with peaks during the dry season. The purse seine was operated about 9 sets per month, and landed an average of 51 mt fish monthly (catch rate 5.7 mt/set), highest in November, December and March. Handline fishing was carried out an average of 17 days a month (catch rate about 19 kg/boat-day). The tuna fishery was adversely affected by strong monsoon winds and typhoons. The rough seas inhibit fishing and give the tuna populations much needed respite from the intense fishing pressure.