Role of fishing technology in the Research and Development of marine fisheries in India

Consequent to the declaration of Exclusive Econonnic Zone (EEZ) to 200 nautical miles, India has acquired right to explore, exploit, manage and conserve the resources of her seas. This provides, greater challenge by way of financial investment, provision of infrastructure facilities, introduction of different types of large deep sea vessels, modern fishing gear and use of modern technologies in fish handling, processing, storage and marketing. Great strides have been made in increasing marine fish production of India from 0-53 million tonnes In 1951 to 1.81 million tonnes in 1984. This has been possible by application of various technologies including fishing technology. The introduction of bottom trawls, purse seines, high opening trawls In selected areas, double rig shrimp trawls from deep sea fleet, etc has made significant impact on tha marina fish production- Introduction of synthetic twines contributed to the increase of efficiency of gear like gill nets and trawls. Mechanisation of fishing vessels resulted in economical operations, expansion of fishing range and duration of fishing. Other aspects of fishing which helped the overall fisheries development include exploratory surveys for resources assessment, dack equipment to handle the gear, electronic instruments for finding fish and to navigate the vessels safely. This paper deals with fishing methods in marine waters, types of vessels in operation, prospective development in fishing tachnology and recommendation regarding vessel and gear suitability for exploitation of deep sea resources

Integrated coastal management for sustainable development

This paper examines how the coastal areas are highly productive rich in biodiversity and support intense economic and social activities. Indian subcontinent has a vast coastline extending 8129 km with enormous potential for development. These coastal areas are often the sites of wealthiest settlements and the most dynamic growth centres and as a consequence rapid development has taken place utilising the vast resources sustaining the life of coastal villages and the 'fishermen, besides economic gains for the country as a whol

Review on Coastal and Marine protected areas as ecosystem based management tool: Goodwill for marine life

Coastal and Marine Protected Areas (CMPAs) means ‘any defined area within or adjacent to the marine environment, together with its overlying waters and associated flora, fauna and historical and cultural features, which has been reserved by legislation or other effective means, including custom, with the effect that its marine and/or coastal biodiversity enjoys a higher level of protection than its surroundings’ (CBD, 2004). The CMPAs are entitled to protect marine ecosystems, processes, habitats and species, which can contribute to the restoration and replenishment of resources. CMPAs can improve the health of oceans by protecting and restoring marine habitats, increasing resilience to environmental changes and protecting species and rebuilding fish stocks as Ecosystem Based Management (EBM) tool (Halpern et al., 2010 and Day et al., 2012). The well-designed networks; sustainably financed; enforcement and compliance of laws; local community engagement and integrated management plan are some of the key principles of CMPAs to work (WWF, 2014). The global target of 10% conservation of coastal and marine areas by 2020 has been agreed by CBD and SDG (OECD, 2017)

Evaluation of Compliance of Marine Fisheries of Kerala with Article 8 of FAO CCRF

It is necessary to evaluate the compliance of local fisheries with relevant provisions of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) which is an indication of how far the code has been implemented. The present study focused on applications of the Code at the grassroot level by local fisheries m anagement authorities in marine fisheries of Kerala with reference to guidelines for fishing operations (Article 8 of FAO CCRF). A question- naire-based approach was used to demonstrate the compliance with the same. Study on marine fisheries of Kerala showed compliance on many areas of Article 8 like documentation of catch and effort, registration and licensing of fishing vessels, safety of fishers and insurance coverage. However, mesh size regulations as per section 4 of Kerala Marine Fisheries Regulation Act (KMFRA), 1980 were not followed. Other areas where improvement is required include Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS), fishing gear selectivity and energy optimization. An overall 54% score was obtained for compliance of marine fisheries of Kerala with Article 8 of the code

Length-weight relationship of selected commercially important marine fishes from east coast of India

The paper deals with length-weight relationship (LWR) of selected commercially important marine fishes from the east-coast of India. Samples were collected fortnightly from experimental fishing using trawl operated at depth up to 70 M off Vishakhapatnam coast on the east-coast of India during 2015-17. Measurements of total length (TL) (nearest to 0.1 cm) and body weight (nearest to 0.1 g) of individual fish were taken. The LWR showed good fit with r2 values ranging from 0.975 for Lepturacanthus savala Cuvier, 1829 to 0.999 for Upeneus vittatus Forsskål, 1775. The ‘b’ values ranged from 2.618 for Photopectoralis bindus Valenciennes, 1835 to 3.186 for L. savala Cuvier, 1829

Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) for sustainable development

This paper examines how the coastal areas are highly productive rich in biodiversity and support intense economic and social activities. Indian subcontine~t has a vast coastline extending 8129 km with enormous potential for development. These coastal areas are often the sites of wealthiest settlements and the most dynamic growth centres and as a consequence rapid development has taken place utili sing the vast resources sustaining the life of coastal villages and the 'fishermen, besides economic gains for the country as a whole. Over the years, due to diversified activities and human interference, intense deterioration ofsuch areas has taken place leading to several intra and inter-sectoral conflicts. In order to protect the resources and ,promote coastal area development Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) plan has been drawn by the Government of India for its effective implementation. However, the ICM plans have not been fully operational due to various reasons. Therefore, the present paper communicates some of the major issues involved in the ICM plans which can be thought of for their effective and immediate implementatio

Reproduction in Sepia aculeata Van Hasselt, 1835 along the Andhra Pradesh coast, off the western Bay of Bengal

Sepia aculeata Van Hasselt, 1835 is a commercially important cuttlefish in Indian seas with limited studies on its biology from the Indo-Pacific region. This study, observed the reproductive biology of S. aculeata from samples landed by the trawl fishery operating off the coast of north Andhra Pradesh, off the western Bay of Bengal. A total of 3511 samples were studied, of which 2241 were females having dorsal mantle length (DML) ranging from 8.7 to 21.4 cm and weight from 78 to 901 g and 1260 were male specimens of DML ranging from 7.9 to 21.9 cm and weight from 54 to 738 g. Females dominated the landings with a sex ratio of 1.78. The length at first maturity was estimated at 14.3 and 12.6 cm DML for females and males, respectively. Both sexes spawned throughout the year with two significant peaks from July to October and from December to February with minor intermittent peaks. The absolute fecundity ranged from 330±1.44 x 102 eggs, with a relative fecundity of 75±8.94 x 102 eggs 100 g-1 body weight. The results of this study may be used as inputs in assessing the stock of S. aculeata in the study region

Trends of Potential Fishing Zones (PFZs) along the Mumbai coast, Maharashtra

The Potential Fishing Zones (PFZs) advisory from INCOIS, Hyderabad for Mumbai coast was analysed to study the trend of PFZ locations. The PFZ trends for landing centers of Versova, Mahim and Colaba were studied during the period 2010-2011. The average depth and distance were 55.2 m and 100 km respectively from the coast in 2010. In the year 2011, the average depth and distance were calculated at 37.8 m and 59 km respectively. The PFZ areas located ranged from 5-229 km in distance and 12-97 m in depth during 2010 and 22-1000 km in distance and 17-500 m in depth in 2011

3rd Zonal Workshop on Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy: Responsible Fisheries and Sustainable Aquaculture Perspectives for West Coast States Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Union Territories of Daman and Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Lakshadweep

3rd Zonal Workshop on Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy: Responsible Fisheries and Sustainable Aquaculture Perspectives for West Coast States Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Union Territories of Daman and Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Lakshadweep 21-23 June, 200

Biometric analysis of brushtooth lizard fish Saurida undosquamis (Richardson, 1848) from Mumbai waters

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between various morphometric measurements and meristic counts, and to establish the length-weight relationships (LWRs) and length-length relationships (LLRs) of Saurida undosquamis based on specimens collected from New Ferry Wharf landing centre of Mumbai coast during September 2013 to June 2015. The morphometric variables for the species under study exhibited high level of correlation with each other. Based on present study results, the fin formula of S. undosquamis in Mumbai water can be written as B 13-15, D 11-13, P 13-15, V 9, A 10-11, C 18-20, L47-53. Different values of regression coefficient (b) and correlation coefficient (r) in LLRs illustrates that different organ grows differently. The values of the regression coefficient b in the LWRs equations (W = aLb) were 2.90, 3.04 and 2.99 for male, female and pooled individuals respectively indicating an isometric growth with high correlation coefficient (r2). These parameters are useful for evaluating the relative condition of fish as well as for subsequent biological and population based studies