Low Value Fishes for Nuritional Security : The Case with Trawl Landings in Kerala

Abstract

Fisheries over the years have evolved from subsistence fishing towards a capital intensive enterprise. There has been structural transformation in the fishing fleet with motorization and mechanization. The current scenario of marine fisheries in terms of fishing fleets clearly indicates a situation “too many boats chasing too few fishes”. Due to the tragedy of commons in operation, increasing fleet size and costs of fishing and the decreasing catch per unit efforts, the fishing operations have taken a toll. The mechanised sector is venturing into multi day fishing which negate the losses of fishing cost. Sizeable amount of low value fish’s lands across the landing centres on account of the targeted fishing; Low value fishes include juveniles, by catch, trash fishes and discards and it is estimated that around 30 per cent of the mechanised landings constitute low value fishes which has a huge untapped economic value. Economic loss due to low value catch can cause serious environmental threats that could be reduced by implementing mesh-size regulations to avoid juvenile catch, prevent discards and utilizing by catch. Appropriate utilisation strategies are to be developed with respect to discards, regulating multi-day fishing operations or innovative measures may be adopted to land the catches on frequent intervals. There exists a huge consumer demand on account of the escalating domestic market prices of fish. The paper focuses on the targeted fishing and resultant huge amount of by catch / low value fishes / trash fishes which possess a huge economic value which are being surpassed. The paper estimates the quantum of low value fish across the different fishing sector and the present level of marketing. The paper suggests the possible policy intervention required for harnessing the market for the low value fishes.