% 



3.0 



<0 



-2.0 



.c 

 u 



(3 

 O 



1.0 



JFMAMJJASOND 



Figure 3. — Monthly variations in catch rates of striped 

 marlin in subarea SE, 1963-70. 



SEASONAL SHIFTS 

 IN FISHING GROUNDS 



Monthly distributions of mean relative abun- 

 dance of striped marlin in waters off Baja California 

 and southern Mexico for the period 1966-70 are 

 shown in Figure 5. Areas of high (more than 1.5%). 

 medium (between 1.4 and 0.5%) and low (less than 



JFMAMJJASOND 



Figure 4. — Monthly variations in catch rates of striped 

 marlin in subarea M. 1963-70. 



0.4%) relative abundance are contoured. From De- 

 cember through March good fishing grounds appear 

 in relatively narrow areas around the tip of Baja 

 California and near the mouth of the Gulf of 

 California. In April, the ground near the Gulf en- 

 trance disappears, and in its place good fishing ap- 

 pears off Manzanillo. In May, good fishing begins 

 to expand seaward as far as long. 110°W. At the 

 same time another good fishing ground appears off 

 Salina Cruz. Good fishing off Salina Cruz also ex- 

 pands seaward from June through August. Good 

 fishing on this ground peaks in June and ends after 

 September. 



120 no ioo 120 no ioo 120 no 100 120 110 100 



120 no 100 120 110 100 120 no 100 120 110 



100 



Catch Rate 



1.5 •/. - 



U - 0.5 •/. 



- 0.47. 



Figure 5. — Monthly distributions of mean relative abundance of striped marlin in 

 waters off Baja California and southern Mexico for 1966-70. 



304 



