Total factor productivity growth of trawl fishing in Kerala state, India

Abstract

Trawlers are the prominent fishing units in the mechanized fishing sector of Kerala state in the south west coast of India contributing 40% of the landings. The trawl catch in the state declined from 0.27 million tonnes in 1997 to 0.21 million tonnes in 2015. Increase in fishing power of trawlers with expansion in engine, gear capacities and overall length resulted in extending fishing trips from singleday to multiday and diversification of species caught. The paper discusses the technological changes and its impacts on sustainability of trawl operations in Kerala for the period 1997 to 2015 using total factor productivity analysis. The capacity of engines increased from 90hp to 550 hp during 1997- 2015 resulting in increased use of fuel in the fishing sector. There was fivefold increase in diesel cost and eight fold increase in ice cost in absolute terms when compared to less than two fold increase in average fish price during 1997-2015. The total factor productivity analysis revealed negative growth during 1997-2015 indicating that technological change has resulted in economic unsustainability in the production system.