Economic impact of juvenile fishing in a tropical multi-gear multi-species fishery

Abstract

In open access marine fisheries, the non-targeted catches in the form of juveniles are detrimental, as this would reduce future yield and subsequent recruitment to the fishery. The proliferating impact of juvenile fishing is much more intense in a multi-gear multi-species fishery like Indian marine fisheries, where intra- and inter-sectoral conflicts exist. Marine fishing in India is contributing significantly to the country’s economic growth and the coastal livelihood security. Although the recent changes in the techno-harvesting pattern of inshore fisheries of the country has led to a remarkable increase in fish landings, the problem of by-catch and targeted juvenile fishing is ever increasing. The present analysis shows that the contribution in the form of annual average profit by various craft–gear combinations is often not sufficient to compensate the overall loss generated by the same to the fishery through the harvest of juvenile fishes. Even though the fishermen gain some transient economic incentives from the juveniles landed, the estimated economic loss calculated was at about US$ 19,445 million year−1 from the mechanised as well as motorised sector. Both intergenerational and conventional discounting was applied to show the net present value (NPV) of future loss due to juvenile fishing. Some of the less capital intensive gears also substantially contribute towards the economic deficit caused by juvenile fishing. We suggest that, while considering the ecosystem impacts of accidental by-catch and intentional juvenile fishing, the economic impacts also should be taken into account prior to formulating any management measures. The study provides an insight to the cost of juvenile fishing in a multi-species multi-gear fishery, where a homogeneous management system is ineffective. The possible causes of increased growth overfishing in the country and subsequent economic loss to the industry are also discussed.