Potential fishing zone (PFZ) advisories-Are they beneficial to the coastal fisherfolk? A case study along Kerala coast, South India

Abstract

Intensive validation of Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ)advisories generated by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information services(INCOIS) along the Kerala coast during the period 2006-2010 revealed a positive relationship between PFZ and occurrence/abundance of commercially important pelagic fishes. The usefulness of PFZ advisories for artisanal, motorized and small mechanized sector fishermen towards obtaining comparatively higher catch per unit effort for the major pelagics and thereby improving the economics of fishing operations is highlighted. Analysis of catch data from active fisherfolk and controlled experiments undertaken within and outside notified areas simultaneously showed that catch per unit effort (CPUE) was more in notified areas compared to un notified areas. The extra quantity of fish caught in notified areas is about 2 to 6 times The percentage of extra monetary benefit obtained in notified areas is about 2 to 7 times.