FRA

Since the yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata is an important fish stock for the fixed net and purse seine fisheries around Japan, accurate forecasts of the landing at each location and fisheries management are required. In this paper we review the spawning and migration biology of the yellowtail and discuss what research is required to achieve these objectives. Spawning biology of yellowtail was reviewed from the growth of larvae and the maturation of spawning adults as well as from past data on egg and larval net surveys. The migration pattern differed with the growth stage and a large scale migration from north to south occurs after maturation. The area of distribution especially in the wintering season seems to depend on the marine environment. We consider that clarification of the relationship between the migration and environmental conditions is necessary to improve the accuracy of forecasts of landings and we discuss the research required to enable effective forecasts.