The catfish resources of south west coast of India - prospects and management problems

James, P S B R and Bande, V N and Menon, N G and Balachandran, K (1987) The catfish resources of south west coast of India - prospects and management problems. CMFRI Bulletin : National Symposium on Research and Development in Marine Fisheries Sessions I & II 1987, 44 (Part -). pp. 78-94.

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Abstract

The marine catfishes of the genus Tachysurus form an important resource along Kerala-Karnataka coast. Till early seventies this resource was mainly exploited by indigenous gears and to a lesser extent by trawlers. The sudden introduction of large number of purse seines brought in a boost in the production of catfishes along Karnataka coast. This increase In the production was achieved exclusively by exploiting shoe's of brooders which frequent the coastal waters for spawning in the monsoon and post monsoon months. The exploitation of the brooders year after year has led to the decline in production, probably due to poor recruitment. The steady yield of catfishes along Kerala showed a decreasing trend after the massive purse seine operations in Karnataka. The possible extent and effects of this decline are discussed in detail. The yield trends of various species of catfishes by different gears at the important fishing centres in Kerala and Karnataka have been studied in the light of declining production, and destruction of brooders. This account is an attempt to establish the degree of destruction of brooders, spawners and eggs'larvae along the entire coastal stretch, especially during September-October period. An attempt has been made to suggest suitable managerial measures to overcome this situation, so that the maximum sustainable yield can be achieved without affecting the spawning population and thereby the stock.

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