Purse seine fishery — Imperative need for regulation

Abstract

Increase in purse seiners numbers, coupled with the introduction of more mechanized boats for trawling has created a considerable imbalance between the traditional small scale fisheries— the 'Rampani' operators and the mechanised boat operators. The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) which has been monitoring the exploited resources along the coasts of India had given a timely warning to the State of Kamataka about the heavy incidenceof spawners in the purse seine catch and projected the need for imposing restrictions in the operation of purse seiners. While every effort should be made to maximize production bearing in mind judicious exploitation to attain stability of production, it is not wise to be complacent when at selected centres excessive or wasteful effort is exerted, threatening the natural resources. It is imperative that there is a strict National Regulatory Policy on the introduction and use of purse seines in our coastal waters.