Introduction of mechanised-cum-sail crafts at Kakinada

Abstract

Kakinada is one of the important mechanised fish landing centres of Andhra Pradesh. Fishery resources from inshore waters off Kakinada have been traditionally exploited by indigenous crafts, ie. 'Navas' (plank-built boats). These motorised beach landing crafts conduct night fishing using synthetic drift gill nets with larger mesh sizes. The drift gill net fishery with motorised crafts has proved highly profitable due to the increase in quantity and quality of fishes caught. The article gives a detailed account on the structure, operation, use and price details of these mechanised cum sail crafts and drift gill nets.