Study on 'Dol' net fishery at selected centres in Northwest coast with special reference to costs and returns

Abstract

About one-third of the total catch of India is produced in nine coastal districts of Gujarat and five coastal districts of Maharashtra. About 90 per cent of total catch in Maharashtra and 70 per cent in Gujarat are contributed by mechanised sector. 'Dol' netters (bagnetters) contributed 48 per cent of catch of mechanised sector in Maharashtra and 23 per cent in Gujarat during I983-'84. Among pelagic fishes, dominating species of 'dol' catch along the northwest coast include Bombay duck, ribbon fish, pomfret, seerfish, penaeid prawn, 'jawla' (Acetes spp.) and sciaenids. Keeping in view the importance of 'dol' fishery in northwest coast, the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Cochin has undertaken a study on the 'dol' operation. The main objectives of the study were (i) to estimate returns to capital and net income to owners; (ii) to compare income levels of owners and wage earners on 'dol' units.