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
