Status of Epifaunal Component in the Bottom Trawl Discards Along Kerala Coast (South India)
Status of Epifaunal Component in the Bottom Trawl Discards Along Kerala Coast (South India)
Date
2004
Authors
Kurup, B. Madhusoodana
Premlal, Premlal
Thomas, Joice V.
Anand, Vijay
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Society of Fisheries Technologists (India)Cochin
Abstract
An attempt was made to quantify the epifauna hauled by the bottom trawlers and
discarded in to the sea along the coastal waters of Kerala on the basis of data generated
onboard. The epifauna thrown back into the sea from bottom trawlers during 2000-01 and
2001-02 were computed at 1.68 and 1.31 lakh tons respectively. The epifaunal discards
comprised of 13 species of finfishes, 23 species of gastropods, 14 species of crabs, 4 species
of shrimps, 2 species of stomatopods and 3 species of echinoderms. Highest quantity of
epifaunal discards during the period was observed during January (27072 tons) and April
(21514 tons) respectively. Highest catch per hour of discards was recorded in monsoon
season, 42.64 kg/h in 2001-01 and 41.37 kg/h in 2001-02. Catch per unit of discards in
bottom trawlers was highest in August during both the years registering 531.09 and 543.23
kg respectively.
Description
Keywords
Epifauna, bottom trawl
Citation
Fishery Technology 41(2):101-108