The Hindu : Kerala News : Study suggests formation of `no-trawling zones'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 07, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Study suggests formation of `no-trawling zones'

By K.S. Sudhi

KOCHI, APRIL 6. A study conducted by a team led by the principal investigator, B. Madhusoodana Kurup of the School of Industrial Fisheries, Cochin University of Science and Technology, on the impact of bottom trawling on seabed and its living communities has recommended the formation of `no-trawling zones' and extension of fishing holidays to 65 days to protect the fish wealth of the State.

As the annual 45-day ban on bottom trawling from June 15 has been found effective in the regeneration and recoup of seabed strata species, the panel recommended extension of fishing holidays to 65 days on the lines of the one proposed for the West Coast States.

The study suggested the formation of `no trawling zones' in select regions of continental shelf and slope eco-systems for recoup of the benthic communities and sustenance of bottom-living fish species.

C. Sreedevi and Vijay V. Anand of the School were the research fellows of the study team. The study was sponsored by the Department of Ocean Development (DOD) through its Ocean Science and Technology Cell. The DOD is sponsoring similar studies in other coastal States of the country. The study found that eggs and juveniles of commercially important fin and shellfishes have been destructed owing to bottom trawling. The study found that on an average 2,500 tonnes of juveniles of squids and scuttle fish, 5,000 tonnes of shrimp juveniles and 700 tonnes of squid eggs have been destroyed every year owing to bottom trawling. Considering these aspects, the panel suggested reduction of fishing pressure during February-May and improvement in the cod-end-mesh size used in bottom trawlers. It was found that 94 per cent of the bottom trawlers operating along Kerala coast are having a cod-end-mesh size of 18 mm and below against the statutory mesh size of 35 mm.

During trawling, it was found that 232 marine species have been killed and discarded into sea from the bottom trawlers. This disproportionate destruction of non-target organisms would adversely affect the biodiversity of the coastal waters.

The study found that the trawl net and accessories now used are causing heavy damage to the seabed by penetrating into it and dispersing off the top layer of sediments. Hence, necessary technical modification in the design and operation of trawl gears should be introduced to make bottom trawling eco-friendly and to minimize the mortality and devastation of benthic organisms.

The impacts of trawling have been studied by conducting trawling operations along the Kochi-Munambam area at a depth ranging from 0 to 50 metres from December 2000 to November 2003.

The panel suggested that steps be initiated for the utilisation of discards, including preparation of value-added products. The study warned of imbalances in the marine eco-system owing to the proliferation of crabs, squilla, starfish and sea snakes, which are among the discards.

As the fishing pressure from bottom trawlers along coastal waters has been found to be very high, the panel suggested that their number be restricted to 3,000. Currently, nearly 4,900 such units are operating from the nine coastal districts of the State.

The study team also recommended the establishment of `marine protection areas' for the protection of benthic habitats and conservation of marine fishery.

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