The resources of the Indian mackerel - characteristics, exploitation and future prospects

Yohannan, T M and Nair, P N Radhakrishnan (2002) The resources of the Indian mackerel - characteristics, exploitation and future prospects. In: Management of Scombroid Fisheries. CMFRI; Kochi, Kochi, pp. 24-32.

[img]
Preview
PDF
3.pdf

Download (299kB)
Related URLs:

    Abstract

    The Indian mackerel contributed to an annual average (1993-'99) catch of 2.17 lakh tonnes (t). The west coast landed about 80% of its total catch and remaining by the east coast. The resource is rich in upwelling areas of the west coast with a catch contribution of 38.68% from Kerala followed by Kamataka and Maharashtra. The fishery is characterized by annual fluctuations in the catch ranging from 0.14 lakh t in 1968 to 2.9 lakh t in 1989. The annual fluctuations do not show any pattern; whereas the decade! trends show a cyclic pattern of ups and downs. The fluctuations are more pronounced along the upwelling areas of the west coast. In 1990s, there was a quantum leap in the annual catch chiefly due to the introduction of large seine nets and motorization of country crafts. The increase was maximum in Kerala, moderate in Maharashtra and poor in Kamataka. Along the east coast also fishery showed considerable improvement. Of late, the role of trawl net in the mackerel fishery is gaining importance. The surface fishery using large seines along the upwelling areas seems to depend very much on the intensity and duration of upwelling which is perhaps causing the fluctuations in catch rather than the variations in the abundance of the resource. The behaviour of the fish to ascend with upwelling and spreading to deeper waters with sitiking of thermocline seem to control exploitation and protect the resilience of the stocks. Perhaps the richness of the resource is much stronger than hitherto believed. With proper management the production can reach further heights.

    Item Type: Book Section
    Uncontrolled Keywords: Indian mackerel
    Subjects: Pelagic Fisheries > Mackerel fishery
    Divisions: CMFRI-Kochi > Marine Capture > Pelagic Fisheries Division
    Subject Area > CMFRI > CMFRI-Kochi > Marine Capture > Pelagic Fisheries Division
    CMFRI-Kochi > Marine Capture > Pelagic Fisheries Division
    Subject Area > CMFRI-Kochi > Marine Capture > Pelagic Fisheries Division
    Depositing User: Arun Surendran
    Date Deposited: 08 Sep 2010 22:24
    Last Modified: 09 Sep 2015 15:25
    URI: http://eprints.cmfri.org.in/id/eprint/4093

    Actions (login required)

    View Item View Item