Traditional coastal bag net fishery of Kutchh, Gujarat, India

Abstract

Bag net fishing is one of the most common fishing techniques prevalent in the Gujarat coast. The mode of operation and structure of the net show great regional variations. Traditional fishers are dominant in the entire maritime fishing villages in Kutchh district. The Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) of traditional fishers engaged in bag net fishing is documented by a scientific study lasted for two years. A total of 125 set bag net and 70 drift bag net units were surveyed during the study. Both the nets are operated by local fishers called Pagadiyas. Effect of moon and the resulted tidal variation had high influence on the catch rate. Monthly, Pagadiya fishers are engaging 20 to 22 days in bag net fishing. Based on the lunar calendar, out of 28 days, catch will be more for 20 days and in the remaining 8 days catch is generally scanty. Based on these observations, Pagadiyas plan their fishing and related activities. Season wise catch analysis reveals that catch is more in winter period followed by monsoon and summer months. Average catch per day from a single unit is recorded as 6, 10.3 and 4 kg for monsoon, winter and summer seasons respectively. Catch composition shows that Acetes and other low valued non-penaeid shrimp contributed 24 per cent followed by Penaeid shrimp and Bombay duck. Seasonal variation in catch composition is observed. Bombay duck dominated during monsoon season whereas Acetes and penaeid shrimp dominated in winter and summer season respectively. Only 10 per cent of the catch fetches high. Poaching and operational difficulties are the major problems observed during the study. The coastal population has their own understanding about the lunar periodicity and correlates that with the fishing. The traditional knowledge need to be well documented for better understanding the fishery and further management measures.