The catch data with main species are given in Annex I. The majority of the catches were dominated by species of medium to high commercial importance. Three aggregations of pelagic fish were located along the coast. One at N 21°30’, one in the Masira Bay and one in the Sauqara Bay. The dominant pelagic species were Decapterus russelli, Trachurus indicus and Sardinella gibbosa. The species appeared to be highly mixed thorough the area and the proportion of each is difficult to assess with the sampling device used, although they are believed to be mentioned in order of significance. The dominating species at trawl locations are given with species codes in the fish distribution maps, Figures 4 and 5.
In the Sauqara Bay area some aggregations of fish were located off the shelf and were identified as Selar crumenophthalmus, even though they were difficult to catch in substantial quantities with the pelagic gear used.
Length frequency distributions of the most frequent pelagic species are given in Annex III.
Dominating demersal species were Lethrinus nebulosus, Cheimerius nufar and Lethrinus lentjan. Frequent in the catches, although in lesser quantities were Argyrops spinifer, Nemipterus japonicus and Epinephelus areolatus.
Tables 1-3 give catch data by families in bottom trawl sorted according to catch groups and bottom depth strata. Table 1 concerns all bottom trawl hauls during the survey, while Tables 2 deals with the hauls on Masira Bank and Table 3 with the Sauqara and Kuria Muria Banks.
List of all species caught during the survey and the classification system used are given in Annex IV.
Table 2. Distribution of catches in bottom trawl by family and bottom depth strata on Masira Bank
