Kochi: India’s total marine fish catch has recorded a slight increase of 6.6 percent to 3.63 million tonne during 2016 compared to 3.40 million tonne in the previous year with mackerel topping in the catch.
According to Kochi-based Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) this is for the first time after 1998 sardine was not the top-ranked species in terms of catch in the country.
According to CMFRI’s estimates released on Friday, Gujarat remained at the top position for the fourth consecutive year followed by Tamil Nadu. Kerala was pushed to the fourth place as Karnataka took the third sport.
The total value of the marine fish landings was estimated Rs 48,381 crore, registering an increase of 20.67 per cent compared to 2015.
At the retail level, the estimated value was Rs 73,289 crores with an increase of 12.44 per cent over the previous year.
Dr. A Gopalakrishnan, director of CMFRI, said marine capture fisheries, is experiencing more fishing pressure and there is urgent need to implement control measures to maintain the harvest at sustainable level. “Also, we have to explore the utilisation of untapped and unconventional resources to quench the demand. Further, climate change, particularly the increase of sea surface temperature and mean sea level rise are factors affecting the marine fisheries”, he said.
A sharp increase in the availability of Hilsa shad, the most favourite fish of Bengalis, helped the West Bengal increase its marine fish production to 2.72 lakh tonnes.
The production of Hilsa rose to nearly 89,000 tonne from 18,000 tonne in the previous year. The fish catch dropped significantly in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha mainly due to the cyclone which reduced fishing days in these states.
