Emergence of triggerfishes (Family: Balistidae) as an alternate lucrative target fishery for trawls along the Tuticorin coast in Gulf of Mannar

Abstract

Fishes of the family Balistidae are commonly known as trigger fishes. Globally the family is represented by about 40 species belonging to 11 genera. The name triggerfish arose as the second dorsal spine act as a trigger to the first dorsal fin. Locally they are known as ‘Kilathi’ in Tamil. Though they used to occur in trawl catch of Tuticorin coast from time immemorial, they were thrown back into the sea by fishermen mainly due to lack of market demand and also for want of onboard storage space. Trawlers used to avoid areas of their congregation as they considered it a menace leading to wastage of energy and time.