p. 177 - 203

COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE OF FISH COMMUNITIES 
IN COASTAL WATERS OF NORTHERN AND NORTH EASTERN 
SOMALIA 


G. I. Muller and V. Dumitrescu 
 Romanian Marine Research Institute Constanta 


Abstract
Fisheries investigations carried out during November
1983-April 1984 both along the northern (Gulf of Aden)
and north-eastern (Indian Ocean) coasts of Somalia
allowed sampling and identification of 236 species of
fishes. According to physical conditions encountered
there are important differences in composition of fish
communities within the neritic zone. Inside the Gulf
of Aden, above steep and very rough bottoms of the
narrow shelf, the black triggerfish (Odonus niger)was
the throughout dominating species (66.5%) in catches,
while south of Ras Asir-above the broad and evently
patterned shelf-pelagic species of the genera Sardinella,
Decapterus, Etrumeus and Scomber were the main dominance.
Observations on coral reef dwelling were also performed
near Berbera.