We have estimated the length at maturity and length-weight relationships for five fish species inhabiting the deep-sea from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands off the Indian coast between 295–650 m deep in a trawl survey carried out in March–April 2017. Hauls were carried out by a high-speed Demersal Trawl Crustacean Version trawl net and analysis was performed for a total of 832 specimens. Length at first maturity of the five deep-sea fish species ranged from 14.28–105.73 cm while length at 90% maturity was in the range 17.87–159.83 cm. The length at maturity of the fish are Alepocephalus bicolor (male = 66.09, female = 105.73), Bathyclupea hoskynii (m = 15.14, f = 14.15), Chlorophthalmus corniger (m = 17.54, f = 15.31), Neoepinnula orientalis (m = 20.76, f = 16.76), and Neoscopelus microchir (m = 14.28, f = 15.40). The b value in the length-weight relationship ranged from 0.69–2.60, i.e. Alepocephalus bicolor (m = 1.93, f = 1.62), Bathyclupea hoskynii (m = 3.5, f = 1.66), Chlorophthalmus corniger (m = 2.07, f = 1.56), Neoepinnula orientalis (m = 2.86, f = 2.46) and Neoscopelus microchir (m = 0.89, f = 0.49). Based on these results, the b value showed an allometric relationship with length for all species studied, because these species have a similar morphometry, i.e. a flattened back. Since they are primary or secondary consumers at the bottom of consumer food webs, their roles are as predators of small–medium prey and as prey of top predators of food web chains.

Beaked whales are not a commonly encountered species, but Cuvier's beaked whale, Ziphiuscavirostris, is the most cosmopolitan. Nonetheless, little is known of its distribution in the north-eastern Indian Ocean, particularly along the coasts of India, Pakistan and Iran. Here we present the first confirmed record of the species for Pakistan from a stranded specimen that was found during a routine beach survey. None have been seen during inshore boat surveys to date. Considering the level of naval activity and seismic surveys in the waters off Pakistan, incorporation of mitigating measures and monitoring surveys are suggested to avoid potential beaked whale mortality. This is the first confirmed record of Z. cavirostris on the Pakistani coast and is an important finding for the Pakistan Biodiversity Action Plan and their National Conservation Strategy for marine mammals.