Survey objectives.
The general objectives for the whole survey programme are described in the report of the planning meeting held in Trinidad, 12 -14 January, 1988 and summarized in the Preliminary Report of Cruise No I, Part 1.
On the basis of experience from the three previous surveys and discussions with the participating countries the following clarifications and comments concerning priority of objectives are relevant for this last survey:
SURINAME
In addition to acoustic coverage of small pelagic fish attention in the inshore parts should be given to the areas off the mouths of the large rivers and in the mid - and offshore surveys to the central snapper ground 30 - 40m and the snapper ground near the edge at 80 - 100 m. At mid shelf day hauls should be made for snappers and night hauls for shrimp. The small pelagics are best sampled during night. Where shrimp fleets are operating tests should be made to assess by-catch, size compositions and catch rates.
GUYANA
Sample fishing should be made for the most important species of shrimp especially from the grounds fished by the fleets. The small sized shrimp Nematopalaemon schmitti, white belly prawn and Xiphopenaeus kroyeri, seabob are both commercial in Guyana. Otherwise the programme should be repeated with survey effort allocated on both the inshore and the offshore assemblage of finfish.
VENEZUELA - Orinoco
In addition to the general survey programme some sample fishing should be made for shrimps and shrimp by-catch especially with reference to the Sciaenid-, Lutjanid-, and Scombrid species. Shrimp fishing at mid shelf should be during night hours. Some tests in the slope for deep sea shrimp should be made if time permits.
Participation.
The following participated from the region:
Suriname: J.A. Emanuels, Rene Lieveld.Guyana: Maurice Phillips, Cole Compton.
Venezuela: Diana Zaera, Efigenio Velasquez.
The scientific staff from IMR was: G. Saetersdal, O. Alvheim, J. Kolding, I. Svellingen and M. Dahl.
