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Declining marine fish catch: Hightime for “strategic timeout”
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S. Magada *   , K.U. Sheethal |
| Professor of Aquatic Biology, College of Fisheries, Mangalore-575 002, India |
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Abstract: (51 Views) |
It is evident based on the global fish catch data that marine catches are at declining trend and it is accelerated in the last decade. Worldwide, more than 85% of the fish population are overfished. In the early 1990 itself, some of the fish stocks like Pacific Salmon, Atlantic Cod and herring etc have collapsed. The declining fish populations will have a serious impact on the economy and livelihoods of many countries.
Out of >35700 fish species identified in the world (FishBase, 2023); about 20000+ are marine species, 14953+ are belong to freshwater and 5-6% of the total fish population believed to be from brackishwater habitat. In India, there are about 3246 fish species, where exclusively 1569 are marine fishes, 961 freshwater and 15 belong to brackishwater ecosystems. While, 392 species found in both marine as well as brackishwater (Bracki-marine), 108 fishes found in freshwater to brackishwater (Bracki-fresh) and about 201 species found in all three ecosystems (FBM: Fresh-Bracki-Marine) (Source: AqGrisi, NBFDGR 2023). About 220 fish species are commercially important in India. The major landings comprise of sardines, mackerel, cephalopods, ribbon fishes, lesser sardines, threadfin bream, croakers, perches and crustaceans. Though, the estimated potential marine fish resource in is about 4.41 mt, for the last five years, the landings are stagnated and fluctuating between 3.7 mt to 3.9 mt. Though overall landings remain constant and catch in weight is the same, more than 60% of the boat owners are not making profits, because of the reduced average size of fish and increased cost of fishing operations. They are compelled to sell their produce to the throwaway prices to the middlemen.
This is the time to have a ‘Strategic Timeout’ to review our fishing efforts, fishing gears, mesh sizes, fishing ban periods and fisheries policies. Though fisheries are a state subject, it is the time to have common consensus to have “One Country-One Policy” for marine fisheries management. However, it requires continued action to ensure the long-term sustainability of fisheries by understanding other related issues and their management. This review paper discusses about the management strategies of vast ecosystems through continuous monitoring and stock assessment programs, ‘Evolved Management Strategies (EMS)’ involving all the stakeholders. It is an effort to connect the diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise that can assist inform decision-making, drive innovation, and improve outcomes.
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| Keywords: Overfishing, Stock Assessment, Fish Stocks |
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Full-Text [PDF 684 kb]
(16 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2024/12/29 | Accepted: 2023/10/2 | Published: 2024/12/31
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