Structural and operational changes in the mechanized fishing sector of Andhra Pradesh and their long term implications on fishery resources

Abstract

Marine fisheries sector in India has witnessed a phenomenal growth during the last five decades both quantitatively and qualitatively. The development of fish harvest technology has been in the areas of craft technology and mechanization, introduction of synthetic gear material, acoustic fish detection and provisions for on board fish preservation. Along the east coast, most of the trawlers were restricted to demersal trawling for shrimps. However, with dwindling resources coupled with increasing fuel costs, dynamic changes have taken place in the fishing craft, gear and operation. The mechanized fleet has diversified by shifting the target from shrimp to finfishes and long lining. The power of the engines increased drastically over the years. With the increasing market demand for tuna, hybrid fishing practice of trawling and long lining during lean fishing season is now in vogue. The paper details the structural and operational changes that have taken place over the decade along the Andhra coast. The transformation of production and patterns of fisheries sector and its impact on the fisheries resources and on the long term economic growth are also addressed. Management measures to be adopted to improve employment generation and nutritional security are suggested.