Marine Fisheries Policy Series No.12; Lakshadweep Livebait Fisheries Management Plan

Abstract

Lakshadweep islands being atolls situated in the midst of oceanic waters is unique with respect to the marine biodiversity and fish wealth. The waters are replete with high value oceanic resources like the tuna and tuna like fishes. Historically, the islanders have been tapping these resources using traditional fishing methods. The island group boasts of being the only territory in the country where pole and line, a one-by-one fishing method is practiced. Low impacts on the stock and high selectivity make the pole and line method a highly sustainable one. Local ownership and shorter duration of fishing are few other uniqueness of the fishery in Lakshadweep. Though, over the years, there has been progresses in fishing sector with respect to mechanisation; craft size and amenities on-board, marketing strategies etc., the fishery is still rooted to the sustainability principles. Hence, the islands possess immense potential for developing the fisheries sector on the strengths of its sustainability quotient to provide enhanced income to the fishers and quality job to its youth. Livebait is an essential part of pole and line fishing for tunas. Since, the livebaits are collected from the reef system; the harvest of these species should also be guided by the sustainability principles; ensuring low impact on the stock and continuity of other ecosystem services by these fishes. Hence, close monitoring of the livebait fisheries is essential and the fishery need to be managed based on scientific acumen. The CMFRI have been providing guidelines and policy briefs to the maritime states for development of fishery management plans. These briefs are made based on scientific data generated by the Institute over the years through close observation of the fisheries in each state. The Institute have accumulated information on the fisheries of Lakshadweep through the Minicoy Research Centre and other projects over the years. A fisheries management plan project for Lakshadweep has been in place since 2017 for continued monitoring of the fishery, data generation and preparation of management guidance in due course. The Lakshadweep Livebait Fisheries Management Plan (LLFMP) is one of the outputs of the project and intends to rationalise the bait fisheries of the islands based on the scientific information available. The Plan lists actionable points with the responsible entity and time frame to achieve the set goals under each overarching objective. It also provides administrative, legal and institutional requirements for the successful rolling out of the Plan. The Plan has been reviewed through focus meetings at the institute and consultations with the Administration and the public. The Plan, when formalised and enforced by the Administration will increase the sustainability quotient of the Lakshadweep tuna fisheries, benefiting the ecosystem and the fishery in a large way.