Present status of 'major perch' fisheries in India

Abstract

The fisheries belonging to Families Serranidae, Lutjanidae and Lethrinidae are popularly known as Rockcods, Snappers and Pig-face breams respectively and are collectively termed as 'Major Perches'. They form about 12% of the perch catch with an annual landing of 10,336 tonnes constituted by rock-cods (41.3%), snappers (35.4%) and pig-face breams (23.3%). Bulk of the catch comes from Tamil Nadu (42,4%), Maharashtra (18.9%) and Kerala (14.8%). Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh support respectively 9.5% and 9.3% of the catch. The remaining catch is shared by KamatEika, Orissa, Pondicherry and GOBL. Lethrinids do not form appreciable fishery in the northern States and in the southern States there exists a multispecies fishery for all the three major perch groups. Trawl net accounts for 42% of the catch and the rest of the quantity is contributed by 'other mechanised' and nonmechanised units equally. The peak fishery season is from October to April. The results of the studies particularly on fisheries and fishing grounds carried out during various exploratory surveys and other cruises are discussed in this account.