Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) based identification of environmental hotspots in commercial trawl fisheries and mitigation strategies

Abstract

Life Cycle Assessment is used to identify environmentally preferred products or processes and can be used as a support tool for decision-making and policy development. In India, till now no study has been undertaken on LCA of trawl fishing wherein impact categories such as Global warming potential, Abiotic depletion potential, Acidification potential, Eutrophication potential, Marine aquatic ecotoxicity potential, Ozone layer depletion potential and Photochemical ozone creation potential are considered. In this study, LCA and carbon footprint analysis of fish production by trawlers operating in Kerala fisheries sector has been carried out. Direct energy input for fishing operations due to consumption of fuel typically account for 75 to 90 per cent of the total energy inputs when compared with energy inputs associated with vessel construction and maintenance, fishing gear and others. In the LCA analysis of trawl caught fishes, the impact categories such as GWP, ADP, AP, EP and POCP are predominantly related to the consumption of diesel in vessel operation, and, hence, it is highlighted as the main hotspot in respect of environmental burdens which need focussed action in mitigation approaches. The results of this study delineate approaches for reducing carbon footprint of the trawl caught resources in Kerala. The study has identified hotspots requiring urgent attention in mitigation of environmental impacts of trawl sector.