Trawl codend selectivity in respect of razorbelly scad
Trawl codend selectivity in respect of razorbelly scad
Date
2010
Authors
Remesan, M.P.
Pravin, P.
Boopendranath, M.R.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Society of Fisheries Technologists (India)
Abstract
Tropical shrimp trawl fisheries produce large amounts of bycatch
containing various aquatic organisms including juveniles of fish and
shellfish of which a substantial quantity is discarded in dead condition.
Bycatch is a serious conservation problem because valuable biological
resources are wasted, population of rare and endangered species are
threatened, stocks that are already heavily exploited are further impacted
and may result in changes in the structure of ecosystem (Harrington et
al., 2005). Increasing operational expenditure coupled with a dearth of
quality fishes in the catch compel the fishermen to maximize the catch
by any means. Responsible fishing regime requires that fishing gears
should preferentially catch the adult fish at a particular age, which would
maximize yield while permitting the juveniles and sub-adults to escape
and also minimize the catch of non targeted and protected organisms
(Boopendranath and Pravin, 2005). In this context, codend selectivity
studies in bottom trawls for maximum number of species is necessary
to arrive at an optimum mesh size which will allow juveniles of maximum
number of species to escape from a multi species fishery. Moreover, the
concept of ecolabelling or "certification" of seafood that do not contribute
to overfishing may become mandatory in the near future.
Description
Keywords
Razorbelly scad, shrimp trawl, fishing gears, research vessels
Citation
Proceedings of the National Seminar on Conservation and Sustainability of Coastal Living Resources of India, 1-3 December 2009, Cochin, ed.by Meenakumari, B. et.al 405-409