Some data on the fishery, distribution and size composition of saffron cod Eleginus gracilis Tilesius, 1810 near the Southern Kuril Islands

Abstract

Data on harvesting, seasonal dynamics, structure of coastal and marine fishery, size and age composition of saffron cod catches near the Southern Kuril Islands are given. Summer–autumn distribution and size composition of saffron cod aggregations is considered based on the data of bottom trawl surveys. Distribution of saffron cod is shown almost everywhere near Kunashir Island, the Lesser Kuril Ridge and Pacific coast of Iturup Island. Harvesting is provided throughout the year, but mainly at December fishing for bottom and demersal fish species in the South Kuril Strait and May–June fishing with small fixed nets near Kunashir. Although catches of saffron cod have increased in recent years, the species is still under exploited commercially.