Application of remote sensing techniques for
locating pelagic fish concentrations along the
Kerala coast (SW coast of India) - work done and
future prospects
Intensive validation programme on Potential Fishing Zone forecasts
carried out by the MARSIS, Central Marine Fisheries Research
Institute, Cochin, at 17 selectedjish landing centres along the Kerala
coast between November 1995 and May 1996 revealed a positive
relationship betwen PFZ and occurence/abundance of commercially
important pelagic fishes. An attempt is made to identify possible
reasons for the above, based on results of oceanographic itivestigations
undertaken in the area and also taking into consideration
fish behaviour in relation to environn-ieni based on past data. Future
plans for evolving a suitable prediction system for commercially
important pelagic fishes in the coastal waters of the mainland
and skipjack fishery in the Lakshadweep islands based on
PFZ forecasts are also discussed in view of its importance to the
artisanal and small mechanised sector fishermen for reducing the
searching time and thereby effecting an overall reduction in the cost
of fishing
