Intensive validation programme on Potential Fishing Zone (PPZ) forecasts carried out by the MARSIS Centre of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Cochin, at 17 selected fish landing centres along the Kerala coast and around Minicoy Island between November 1995 and May 1997 revealed positive relationship between PPZ and occurrence / abundance of commercially important pelagic tlshes, An
attempt is made to identify possible reasons for the above, based on results of oceanographic investigations undertaken in the area and also taking into consideration their behaviour in relation to environment based on past data