The Hindu : State adopts `fish ranching' to beat fish famine

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 24, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

State adopts `fish ranching' to beat fish famine

By M. Raghuram

MANGALORE MARCH 23. Although a good 75 days are still left before the fishing season concludes for the year 2002-03, the fishermen have felt that the fish catch is coming down severely and that many boats, which go deep-sea fishing, come back with a catch that might not even cover the expenses of the expedition.

It is not just the fishermen who are worried over the fish famine, but the governments of maritime States, exporters, and other stakeholders. Thanks to the concern of academics and experts, they were one step closer to finding the reasons for the fish famine. A paper based on a recent workshop on fishing ban, fish famine, and livelihood issues, compiled by the Professor and Head of the Department of Fisheries Economics at the University of Agricultural Sciences College of Fisheries here, Ramachandra Bhatta, says the data available does not provide a conclusive picture on the need for a total ban on monsoon fishing. It is recommended that status quo be maintained regarding the ban on monsoon fishing till such time that additional year-round data becomes available.

According to the observations made by the Principal Scientist and the Head of the Division, Fishery Resources Assessment of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, M. Srinath, the total marine fish production of Karnataka appears to have stabilised at around 165,000 tonnes, as indicated by the stagnation observed during the past decade. The total catch was fluctuating and some of the commercially important fishes were showing a declining trend. The number of fishing units in Karnataka had increased from 8020 in 1980 to 11,323 in 1998. The maximum harvest was achieved during late 80s and early 90s. In 1989, the total marine fish output was 251,012 tonnes as against the current output of 193,680 tonnes.

The Pelagic fishes such as mackerel and anchovies were showing a declining trend, while the oil sardine output was increasing during the past three years. Ribbonfish production was increasing with increased share of multi-day fishing vessels. The trend in the production of carangids was also declining. Among the demersal fishes, the declining landings of Elasmobranches could be due to the recent ban imposed by the Central Government, Mr. Srinath points out.

The catfish showed a decline from a maximum catch of 10,000 tonnes in 1980. The croakers also showed a declining trend during the last decade.

With the national council of six maritime states agreeing to the proposal of the Karnataka Fisheries Ministry to introduce a uniform embargo on fishing during monsoon season, things would change in the next fishing season. Lack of uniformity in fishing ban among the six maritime states has caused imbalance in the fish progeny.

From this year, Karnataka will start innovative methods of improving the fish progeny in estuaries by taking up "fish ranching," for which five types of fish had been identified. "Fish ranching" is a tested technique involving manual introduction of fingerlings just before the monsoons at the "ranch". These fish later migrate into the river and breed there and would be ready for harvesting in less than three months. The first fish ranching programme would start in June this year, for which the department has trained its officials.

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