Strategies for the development and management of purse seine fishing in India

Abstract

Purse seine, an important bulk catching method was first evolved In the Atlantic Coast during the last quarter of the 19th century and in India the developmental efforts were initialed by the Indo-Norwegian Project in 1954 and the operations on commercial lines were taken up from 1976 onwards. Enterprising fishermen of Karnataka were the first to Introduce this modern method of fishing, switching over from the traditional rampant nets. The purse seines spread to Kerala and Goa later. Inilially boats of different length and deck arrangements were tried and after gaining competency, 15 m boat emerged as the suitable vessel with deck arrangement for portside operation of purse seine net of 600 m length and 55 m 'depth.