Exploited seerfish fisheries of india during 1998-02

Abstract

Seerfishes are esteemed table fishes. In India, they are considered as one of the high value resources due to their superior quality meat, high economic return and export market. Seerfish fishery is important to artisanal fishermen who use driftnet/gillner/hooks and line employing country crafts with or without out-board engines and medium size boats with inboard engines, in the coastal waters of 25- 60 m depth. They are the target species for to 16.9% during 1998-02 indicating attainment of optimum production. The annual production during 1998-02 varied from 42,578 t in 2001 to 54,871 t in 1998 with an average of 48,847t forming 1.9% of the marine fish landing of the country. The east coast which ranked first in seerfish production during 1950s and 1960s with around 60% contribution had progressively been reduced to 40% in 1990s and during 1998-02.