GETTING READY: Fishermen attaching rubber floats to nets used in mid-water trawling. Mid-water trawling is being used by fishermen in the city to catch Tuna which is in big demand in export markets abroad. — Photo:C.V.Subrahmanyam

VISAKHAPATNAM: With prices for Indian shrimp plummeting in world export markets, tuna fish has become the new `catch' phrase for the Indian fishing industry.

In the last three years, the industry has seen a shift from bottom to mid-water trawling to meet the growing demand for tuna fish in world markets.

"Earlier fishermen were shrimp-centric and operated only using bottom trawling methods, but today a change has been ushered in, which is good ecologically and also benefits them economically," says scientist at Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, G. Rajeshwari. In Japan one kg of Sashimi grade tuna fetches five dollars.

Bottom trawling is highly damaging to the environment as boats and trawlers tow nets tied with coarse iron chains along the sea bed soil to catch shrimp.

During this process the seabed gets destroyed and apart from shrimp, several other juvenile species of fish are also caught.

"These juvenile species of fish caught are often discarded wastefully thus creating imbalance in procreation cycles," she says.

Mid-water trawling operates above sea floor, uses larger net mesh sizes and catches the economically larger fishes.

Fishing accessories such as otter boards, weights and floats are attached tactfully according to fish movement to target tuna and other fin fishes such as mackerel, billfish and seal fish.

Mid-water trawling requires less towing and the catch per tow as compared to bottom trawl is greater with an estimated ratio of 10:1. "Mid-water trawling also consumes less fuel than bottom trawling," says former president of the A.P Mechanised Boat Owners Association P.C. Appa Rao. In the city harbour, 30 boats have successfully converted to mid-water trawling.

The overall costs of conversion comes to Rs.1.5 lakhs for which the Government is providing a subsidy of Rs.37,500.

Although the catch is reasonably good in mid-water trawling, post-harvest methods of handling and storing fish still need improvement.

Most boats have only old icebox facilities to store fish and quality tuna needs to be exported within 48 hours of catching.

"Better handling, packing and airport facilities can enhance our market potential," says Mr. Rao.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail