Assessment of Fuel Consumption Rate of Mechanised Trawlers in Kerala, South India

Abstract

Globally,fisheries production is facing concerns in the form of sustainability issues, increased fuel consumption and resultant burdens contribute to worsen the scenario. All specified concerns are most prominent in trawling industry which is the most common and dominating worldwide. As India is dependent deeply on fisheries for employment and food security, the energy cost is a concern among seafood consumers, seafood traders and fishing communities. Rate of average fuel consumption of mechanised trawl fishing fleet of Kerala in a year is estimated. Rate of fuel consumption found to be higher in very large trawlers and lower in small trawlers. While comparing single-day trawlers found to be consuming 57% lesser fuel than multiday trawlers. If small trawlers are taken as a base, the rate of fuel consumption is 18.5% higher in medium trawlers, 74% higher in large trawlers and 180% higher in very large trawlers. The average annual fuel consumption of is highest in very large trawlers followed by large trawlers, medium trawlers, small trawlers (multi-day) and small trawlers (single-day)