Distribution characteristic of Octopus minor in the Tando Bay on the southwest coast of Korea

This study is to find out the distribution characteristic of Octopus minor in the Tando Bay on the southwest coast of Korea with conducting surveys from May of 2006 to April of 2007. Surveys were carried out at 20 stations on 2 and 3 tide time in the low speed of high tide at night and conducted during 30minutes (4 times fishing) per station. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) was estimated by total catch per 500hooks at each station. Monthly CPUE showed that they put highest in October, November, April and June at 10.4, 10.5, 9.4 and 7.7 individuals respectively. On the other hand, CPUE put lowest in January, the coldest month, and August, the hottest month, at 0.2 and 0.3 individuals respectively. As for geographical mantle length distribution, average mantle length ranged from 6.2cm to 7.3cm at stations near the tidal channels (St. 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19 and 20), and was smaller than 6.0cm at stations located inside of bay (St. 2, 3, 7, 11, 12 and 17). In terms of geographical distribution density, CPUE showed higher than 8.0 at St.4 in Changmaeri, St.8 in Taecheonri, St.13 near Seondo, St.18 in Naeri and St.14 in western part of Tando which are located near the main tidal channels. And distribution density showed low that CPUE was lower than 5.0 individuals at stations located inside of bay (St. 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 16 and 20). Through the results, the difference of distribution density reflects that distribution of Octopus minor is affected by direction of current and inflow of pollutant from land in direct. Therefore, it is considered that bottom composition of tidal flat and distribution of live food are the crucial cause of identifying the distribution characteristics of Octopus minor. For this reason, it is judged to need additional research on it.