A note on an unusually heavy catch of fish in a shore-seine on the Andhra Coast

Abstract

Daniapeta (Latitude 17°-13'N Longitude 82°-28'E) a fishing village in Tuni taluk of East Godavari District was visited during the first week of March, 1968 for collection of routine survey data, when the local fishermen reported about a bumper catch of fish landed on 15-2-'68. Further enquiries revealed ths following facts. On that day a single haul of the shore-seine (Alivi vala) landed an estimated 40 tonnes of fish which were sold for Rs. 23,000. Of the three other shore-seines operated on the same day, one landed 15 tonnes offish (sold for Rs. 8,000) while the two others caught only about 150 Kg. each. These shore-seines were operated in about 10-12 meters of water, a kilometer distance from the shore. About 1(K) fishermen cooperated in hauling the shore-seine containing the 40 tonne catch and 100 more waded into the water to take hold of the net and thus decrease the strain on the net. As the net approached the shore small drag nets called Konti vala were operated outside the shore-seine to trap the escaping fish.