Hybrid surveys using hydroacoustic and fish sampling gears such as trammel net, trap were conducted to investigate total biomass, distribution and dominant fish species of the demersal fishes in the marine ranching area (MRA) of Jeju. Four surveys were carried out in June, August, October and November using 38kHz quantitative echo sounder. Catch data using trammel net and trap were used to calculate biomass and to examine dominant fish species. Fish schools were mainly detected in the waters of 20 meters below and around Chagwido waters. By the result of fishing experiments, fish species living in MRA of Jeju were about 40 species, dominant fish species of a detectable fish such as Family Sparidae and Family Monacanthidae etc. were identified 59.4~68.8% of total biomass. Based on the hydroacoustic data, fish length-weight function and target strength information, mean density of the demersal fish estimated were as follows; 0.88g/m2 on June, 1.12g/m2 on August, 1.35g/m2 on October and 1.18g/m2 on November. An estimated average biomass in MRA of Jeju was founded 20.5 tons in 2007, 20.6 tons in 2008, 23.0 tons in 2009, 25.9 tons in 2010. The results showed that biomass of MRA is getting increased slowly. Therefore the hybrid survey method using hydroacoustic and fish sampling gears is assured an effective biomass survey in the waters of mixed species.

The population of small yellow croaker, Larimichthys polyactis, in the Yellow and East China Seas has decreased significantly since the mid 1970s. Several management measures have been introduced to conserve it, but population size remains low. To rebuild this population, it is now necessary to consider more effective management methods based on the stock assessment. To determine long-term population changes, fishery and biological data collected over 34 years (1969-2002) were analysed. Yearly fish length compositions were analysed for the time periods 1968 through 1970, 1978 through 1982, and 1993 through 2002; and catch data was available from 1969 to 2002. Annual population sizes were calculated based on length composition, the relationship between total length and body weight, and total landings. Analyses showed that since the 1970s, average size of harvested fish decreased; the proportion of less mature fish (smaller than the 50% maturity length, 19cm) in catches has increased and the estimated biomass has decreased significantly. Consequently, the main management recommendation is that juvenile fish need to be better protected to allow the rebuilding of resources to a more sustainable population level. This will require fish size limit, permissible mesh size, and closed area and season regulations.