Fishermen doubt Central Marine Fisheries Research Institutes data's authenticity

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Taking a dig at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institutes (CMFRI) data on dipping sting ray (thirandi) and sardine (chaala) population in Kerala, local fishermen in the capital alleged that researchers were misinterpreting data ignoring local knowledge. Around 50 local experts who came together through the ‘Indigenous Local Knowledge Holders’ meet organised by UNESCO in association with the Friends of Marine Life
said this.

It was on Friday that CMFRI had officials revealed that only five tonnes of sting ray was caught in the state in 2015 as against 40 tonnes in 2012. Also this was linked to the dearth of small fish like sardines on the Kerala coast. However, local fishermen say that at least between eight to ten tonnes of sting rays were caught between 2015 and August 2016 in Vizhinjam harbour alone. They said that the decline in the catch of both fish could not be linked as sting rays were bottom dwellers. Also, it was normal for the sardine and mackerel (ayala) catches to decrease every 20 years, they said.

“CMFRI has been spending a lot of money on research about a dip in sardine population. It is suspected that the erroneous data on sting ray was released to substantiate these studies,” fishermen said. “CMFRI should show conviction in recommending a ban on all devices that are used in destructive fishing,” they added. Fishermen pointed out that it was important for scientists to study why ‘Chaakara’ of prawns (Karikkodi Chemmen) that was usually reported in Alappuzha was taking place in Vizhinjam and Maryanad now. Similarly, the endangered False trevally (Parava) and Barracuda (Cheelavu) was getting caught more often in nets in an “unusual” manner.