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

Ready for fishing after the trawl ban period

Trawl boats ready for fishing after the trawl ban period (A view from Thoppumpady bridge, Cochin)

Dolphin near Fortcochin Beach

On the way to Arabian Sea for fishing

Fishing in the morning, Scenic Beauty

A view from the Aroor bridge

Behaviour of a fish shoal in the Arabian Sea

Behaviour of a fish shoal in the Arabian Sea off Cochin

Kerala Fisheries

Kerala Fisheries

Malayalam name of Myctophids is "Mata"

Myctophids are called “Mata” in Kerala. Name is derived from the latin word Marisela – “from the sea” and Asta – “bright as a star”. Myctophids or lantern fishes are among the most abundant group of mesopelagic fishes in the World oceans. Myctophids are also known as lantern fishes after their conspicuous use of bioluminescence or light producing cells. In Kerala, the local name of myctophids were not uniform everywhere. Considering its unique characteristics, the name "Mata" seems to be well suited.

Vacancy of One Service Technologist in Fishery Survey of India called by UPSC

One Service Technologist in Fishery Survey of India, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture called by UPSC. Qualifications : Essential : A. Educational : At least 2nd Class Master’s Degree in Zoology or degree in Fisheries Science of a recognized University or equivalent. OR Diploma in Fisheries Science from the Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai or equivalent. B. Experience : Three years’ experience in handling / servicing life saving appliances and fishing gear technology. Desirable : Experience on board fishing vessels in handling life saving appliances. Duties : Incharge of Life Raft Servicing Centre and responsible to make necessary arrangements for servicing of Life Rafts and HRU. Procurement of materials. Timely completion of activities of ILR centre and correspondence with the parties and sister organizations. Coordination with Mercantile Marine Department and Indian Register of Shipping for inspection of Life Rafts. Responsible to conduct the annual audit as per the ISO guidelines. HQ : Cochin, Kerala.

Trawl ban should start earlier

The trawl ban is commencing from midnight of June 14 this year. Fishing holiday in Kerala is restricted to just 45 days in Kerala, but in other fishing states it lasts for three months. In Kerala the traditional fishing sector has been exempted from the trawl ban whereas in other states it is applicable to the entire fishing sector. The southwest monsoon period is the reproduction time of most of the fish species along India’s western coast. Fishermen in kerala are now selling fish which are ready to breed. Most of them are marketing fish by showing the eggs. Actually trawl ban should be done atleast for two months in kerala for the sustained growth of our fisheries and moreover complete fishing operations should be banned in this period. The time has already approached. Atleast from next year the trawl ban should start early by June 1st. Already fishes are getting overexploited and if no proper controlling aganist catching of spawners are introduced our fishery will be depleating soon. Conserve fish for the future.