Fishery and bionomics of tunas at Minicoy Island

Abstract

The Union Territory of Lakshadweep is represented by twenty islands out of which only ten are inhabited. Oceanic species of tunas such as skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) and yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) are available in Lakshadweep area from October to May every year. They are being exploited from Minicoy waters by pole-and-line tuna fishing using live bait. Since 1960, pole-and-line fishing has been adopted in the other islands of Amini group with the introduction of mechanised boats. The seventies has seen an almost complete transition of replacement of the ' Odum' (traditional tuna fishing boats) with mechanised boats fitted with bait tanks at Minicoy Islands. Thus tuna fishing became popular in the Union Territory which is now fetching a good amount to the islanders and helping in the improvement of the economy of these islands.