Carbon footprint in life cycle of marine fisheries at major fishing harbours of Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

Contribution of marine fisheries at all stages of its life cycle, to climate change during 2012-2013 was studied by determining their carbon footprint at four major fishing harbours/fish landing centres in Andhra Pradesh viz., Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Nizamapatnam and Machilipatnam . Functional unit was 1 kg of marine fish to the consumer. Fuel and electricity consumption per kg of marine fish was on an average 0.43 l and 0.24 kWh at Visakhapatnam, 0.41 l and 0.15 kWh at Kakinada, 0.52 l and 0.26 kWh at Nizamapatnam and 0.48 l and 0.21 kWh at Machilipatnam. Mechanised catches contributed 80-85% of the total fuel burnt and 79-90% of the total electricity consumed. The harvest phase (88-93%) burnt the most fuel, while the post-harvest phase (51-62%) contributed the most to the electricity consumption. Emission intensity per kg of marine fish was 0.34 kg C and 1.26 kg CO2 in Visakhapatnam, 0.31 kg C and 1.16 kg CO2 in Kakinada, 0.41 kg C and 1.50 kg CO2 at Nizamapatnam and 0.37 kg C and 1.37 kg CO2 at Machilipatnam. Fuel and electricity consumption and emission intensity was high for mechanised landings and low for motorised landings. The highest emissions were recorded in the harvest phase at all the places. Energy consumption and subsequent emissions can be reduced by making suitable modifications to the diesel engines, speed of operation and to the craft and propeller designs.