Fisheries and Climate Change – First Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study in Indian trawl fisheries

Trawling is the most energy intensive fishing method in terms of fuel consumed per tonne of fish produced. Almost 78% of the total mechanised vessels operating from Kerala are trawlers. Mechanised fishing operations are dependent on fossil fuels which are non-renewable and releases high levels of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere contributing to greenhouse effect and thereby affecting climate. Adoption of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in analysing trawl fisheries has provided precise information about the environmental impacts of the fish caught from trawls.

Renju Ravi employed in National Institute of Fisheries Post Harvest Technology and Training (NIFPHATT), Govt. of India, Cochin, has been awarded “Doctor of Philosophy” (Ph.D.) in Fisheries Science by Faculty of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) for his thesis titled “Studies on Structural Changes and Life Cycle Assessment in Mechanised Trawl Fishing Operations of Kerala”. He did his research under the guidance and supervision of Dr. Leela Edwin, Head & Principal Scientist, Fishing Technology Division, Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, ICAR, Cochin.

In the present study, results of investigations conducted on the structural changes, life cycle assessment and carbon footprint analysis and hotspots identified in trawl fish harvesting systems are presented. Information on LCA in Global warming potential (GWP) and impact categories like Abiotic depletion potential-fossil (ADP-fossil), Acidification potential (AP), Eutrophication potential (EP), Marine aquatic eco-toxicity potential (MAETP), Ozone depletion potential (ODP) and Photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP) were entirely lacking in respect of Indian trawl fisheries. The values of impact categories per tonne of marine fish landed by trawl fishing sector in Kerala have been determined and presented. In this study he was able to identify hotspots pertaining to environmental burdens in trawl fisheries and suggest approaches to reduce Global Warming Potential and other impacts.

The content of the thesis is organised into 8 chapters.

Chapter I: Introduction 

Chapter II: Materials and Methods

Chapter III: Structural Changes in the Trawl Fishing Systems

Chapter IV:  Life Cycle Assessment and Carbon Footprint of Trawlers

Chapter V: Life Cycle Assessment and Carbon Footprint of Trawl Gear Systems

Chapter VI: Life Cycle Assessment and Carbon Footprint of Trawl Landings

Chapter VII:  Hotspots and Approaches to Reduce Environmental Impact of the Trawl Fisheries

Chapter VIII:  Summary and Recommendations

CIFT, Central Institute of Fisheries Technology

CIFT, Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Cochin

How to overcome the serious threat caused by Puffer fish (Lagocephalus inermis) in Kerala fisheries ? A frontline approach

Puffer fish which is a carnivorous fish eats everything that comes in front of it. These cause a severe threat to the fishermen of Kerala by tearing the nets as well as damaging other species and there by causing huge losses. These fishes when threatened becomes about twice its normal size by gulping water. When they are in inflated condition they swim slowly. The most common species of puffer fish which causes damage in Kerala fisheries is Lagocephalus inermis (Temminck & Schlegel, 1850) of the family Tetraodontidae and order Tetraodontiformes. There are around 188 species of pufferfish worldwide.

Almost all pufferfish contain tetrodotoxin, a substance that makes them foul tasting and often lethal to fish. These extremely strong paralyzing poison is found in many parts of the puffer fish including their liver, muscles, skin, and ovaries. To humans, tetrodotoxin is deadly, up to 1,200 times more poisonous than cyanide. There is enough toxin in one pufferfish to kill 30 adult humans, and there is no known antidote. As these fishes contain toxins we should not consume it whereas we should focus on high quality research whether these can be applied in medical field. 

Refer : http://www.fishbase.us/photos/UploadedBy.php?autoctr=15861&win=uploaded

47 day Trawl Ban in Kerala will commence from June 14 midnight

The 47-day monsoon-time ban on fishing by mechanised trawlers in the sea off the Kerala coast will come into force on June 14 midnight. The ban will be in force within 12 nautical miles (22.22 km) from the shoreline till July 31.
The annual trawling ban is being used as a fisheries management tool, which several other coastal States have emulated over the years. The first trawling ban for 45 days was enforced in 1988. Earlier, a ban was ordered in 1981, but it lasted only three days.

World Oceans Day is on June 08

World Oceans Day (8 June 2011) - “Our oceans: greening our future”

Fishworkers to seek 90-day trawling ban

Fishworkers to seek 90-day trawling ban
By Sabloo Thomas18 May 2011 06:12:40 AM IST
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The traditional fishworkers of the state wouldurge the new government to implement a 90-day trawling ban instead of the 45-day ban to facilitate natural breeding of the common pelagicfish in the Kerala waters during monsoon season. Kerala Swathanthra Matsya Thozhilali Federation (KSMTF) president T Peter told Express that this demand would be placed before the newgovernment after the portfolio allocation is complete. The 45-day annual trawling ban on mechanised boats during the monsoon season isslated to begin on June 14 midnight. While the trawling ban is restricted to just 45 days in Kerala, inother coastal states it is for two months. Peter said that the presence of foreign fishing vessels on the territorial waters of the state even after the 45-day ban period,caused much problems. These vessels caused great harm to young fish. There were no effective laws to control foreign fishing vessels operating on the state’s coastline, he said. The traditional fishing sector using country boats are exempted fromthe ban in the state. In other states, the ban covers the entirefishing sector including traditional country boats. The monsoon trawling ban was introduced in 1988 to help unhinderedbreeding of fish during the rainy season. The monsoon season isbreeding season of nearly 300 species along the west coast of India. The traditional fishworkers in Kerala have been exempted from thetrawling ban through the Kerala Monsoon Fishery (Pelagic) ProtectionBill 2007. The Act enables them to catch pelagic fish such as oilsardine and mackerel in the territorial waters of the state stretching 12 nautical miles. However, they are permitted to carry out fishing only in the territorial waters and catch only pelagic fish. The law was enacted to overcome the restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court which wanted governments of coastal states to bantrawling by mechanised boats as well as fishing by country craft usingengines of more than 9.9 HP during monsoon. The trawling ban was started in Kerala in 1988 on a recommendation bythe Dr A Balakrishnan Nair committee..

Courtesy: T. Peter

World Fisheries Day on November 21

World Fisheries Day on November 21