Length and age composition of the oil sardine catch off Calicut coast in 1964 and 1965

Abstract

The oil sardine, Sardinella longiceps Val., fishery has been the subject of several investigations ever since the starting of fisheries research in India. Great attention is concentrated on the fish and its biology mainly because of the tremendous variations in the yield. Catch in one area of the coast has often differed from that in other areas in the same season and periods of spectacular abundance have been followed by seasons of dramatic decline. Along the Calicut coast the oil sardine fishery has a special position, the economy of the coastal people is completely dependent upon it. Not only is fish an important food item of the ever-increasing coastal population who can rarely afford meat but it is also a satisfying substitute for the grain content of the daily food. During the so-called good oil sardine year every suitable gear is employed to get a good catch. Because the intake of oil sardine for human consumption is limited the bulk of the catch during the glut season is utilised for pickling and a small portion for manure and for extracting oil. A decline in the oil sardine fishery tells adversely on the economic situation of the coastal people as the fall in the sardine landings could not be offset by gains in catches of other fishes. In the absence of oil sardine the lower class consumers have to divert much more money to purchase much less other fish. The problem with the oil sardine is to keep the yield sustained.