The major marine fisheries resources of Goa includes Indian oil sardine, Indian mackerel, cat fish, Sharks, seer fish, shrimps, pomfrets, cephalopods (cuttle fish and squid), tuna, ribbon fish, reef cod, white sardine, silver bellies, flat fish, Silver bar, crabs, croakers and butter fish. However, the key resources which dominate the marine fishery of Goa are Indian oil sardine, Sardinella longiceps and Indian mackerel, Rastrelliger kanagurta.
They contribute about 48% of the total marine fishery of Goa. Indian oil sardine contributes to about 33.6% of the total marine fisheries resource landings in Goa (mean value during 2001-2012), and Indian mackerel contributes about 15.7% of the total marine fisheries resource landings in Goa.
1) Indian oil sardine, Sardinella longiceps
Local name: Tarlo Resource
type: Pelagic
Indian oil sardine is the largest single species fishery in India as well as in Goa. The total landings of the Indian oil sardine along Indian coast amount to 7 lakh tonnes/ annum (CMFRI, 2013). The species contributes to about 33.6% of the total marine fishery resource landings in Goa. The average annual catch of Indian oil sardine along Goa during 2001-2012 was 28, 907 tonnes. This species has a major role in the protein supply and income generation to the artisanal fishermen who operate in the inshore waters of Goa.
Source: Directorate of Fisheries, Govt. of Goa (2012-13)
Figure 1. Catch trend for Indian oil Sardine during 2001-2012 along Goa coast
The catch trend in Indian oil sardine along Goa coast shows a declining trend in the last decade. However, a maximum catch of 34329 tonnes was observed in 2012 after a decline in during 2009-10. The oil sardine had increased from 21470 tonnes in 2001 to 34203 tonnes in 2004. The period from 2001-2004 was showing a yearly increase in the catch. The period from 2005-2010 was showing a declining trend in the catch except for a local maximum in 2008. The minimum catch of 21470 tonnes was observed in 2001 during this period. The resource is mainly landed by purse seine, ring seine, gill net, beach and boat seines. Though the resource is showing a declining trend in its landings, the resource has immensely contributed the livelihood of the traditional and motorised fishermen.
2)Indian mackerel, Rastrelliger kanagurta
Local name: Bangdo Resource
type: Pelagic
Indian mackerel is the second largest single species fishery in India as well as in Goa. The total landings of the Indian mackerel along Indian coast amount to 2 lakh tonnes/ annum (CMFRI, 2013). The species contributes to about 15.75% of the total marine fishery resource landings in Goa. The average annual catch of Indian mackerel along Goa during 2001-2012 was 14,517 tonnes. This species also has a major role in the protein supply and income generation to the artisanal fishermen who operate in the inshore waters of Goa. Moreover, this species is the most preferred fish by rich, medium and poor classes of the people in Goa.
Source: Directorate of Fisheries, Govt. of Goa (2012-13)
Figure 2. Catch trend for Indian mackerel during 2001-2012 along Goa coast
The catch trend of Indian mackerel along Goa coast shows an increasing trend in the last decade. A maximum catch of 23831 tonnes was observed in 2010, and a minimum catch of 5779 tonnes was observed in 2003. The catch has decreased initially from 14,204 tonnes in 2001 to 6303 tonnes in 2004 and further increased to 19980 tonnes in 2007. Further, the catch has declined from 2007 to 2009 followed by a steep increase in 2010. The resource was showing the expected trend that the flat declining trend of oil sardine is parallel to the increasing trend in mackerel catch along Goa during 2001.
The resource is mainly landed by purse seine, ring seine, gill net, beach and boat seines. Nowadays trawlers especially the mid water trawlers bring good catches of big sized mackerel in their operations. The management of this resource is necessary as this contributes to the nutritional security about the good quality protein of the majority of the population in Goa.
3) Shrimps
Local name: Sungtam/jinga Resource
type: Crustaceans
Shrimps are one of the major resources which have got immense demand in the domestic as well as foreign markets. This fetches a very high unit price of about 3-4 US$ in the foreign markets. The dominant species of shrimps landed in Goa includes Black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon; Indian white shrimp, Fenneropenaues indicus; Flower tail prawn, Metapenaeus dobsonii; Metapenaeus monoceros and Solenocera hextii etc. The unit value/kg will also depend upon the size grade of the shrimp landed and species. The major chunk of the catch is utilised as fresh, dried and transported to the interior and distant markets.
Source: Directorate of Fisheries, Govt. of Goa (2012-13)
Figure 3. Catch trend for shrimps during 2001-2012 along Goa coast
The shrimp is exported to foreign market basically in the form of frozen shrimps. The total landings of the shrimps along Indian coast amount to 3-4 lakh tonnes/ annum (CMFRI, 2013). The group contributes to about 8.32% of the total marine fishery resource landings in Goa. The average annual catch of shrimps in Goa during 2001-2012 was 7327 tonnes. This is a major commercial fishery resource for India as well as Goa which holds a specific demand in the foreign markets. The shrimp resources have shown a positive increasing trend in the last decade. Though there were isolated fluctuations in the resource landings, the overall increasing trend was observed from 2001-2012. The maximum and minimum catch during the period was 10599 tonnes in 2005 and 874 tonnes in 2001. This also indicates there is a scope for improvement in the fishery along Goa coast.
4)Seer fish
Local name: Viswan Resource
type: Pelagic
Seerfishes are one of the major commercial resources which have got immense demand in the domestic market for fresh consumption. The flesh is very good quality protein, and it is delicacy along the Indian coast. This fetches a high average unit price of about Rs. 250/kg at the landing point and Rs. 500-600/kg at the point of last sales. The major species of seer fishes landed along Goa are the King seer, Scomberomorus commerson and the spotted seer, Scomberomorus guttatus. The major chunk of the catch is utilised as fresh and iced for transport to distant places. This fish is handled hygienically at each point of marketing and distribution because of the economic value. The total landings of the seer fish along the Indian coast is about 0.5 -0.6 lakh tonnes/ annum (CMFRI, 2013).
The group contributes to about 4.05% of the total marine fishery resource landings in Goa. The average annual catch of seer fish along Goa during 2001-2012 was 3164 tonnes. This is a major commercial fishery resource for India as well as Goa which holds a huge demand in the domestic market.
Source: Directorate of Fisheries, Govt. of Goa (2012-13)
Figure 4. Catch trend for seer fish during 2001-2012 along Goa coast
The seer fishes have shown a fluctuating catch trend in the last decade. The catch was gradually declining from 9556 tonnes in 2005 to 1616 tonnes in 2012. The maximum and minimum catch during the period was 9556 tonnes in 2005 and 1229 tonnes in 2010. The decline in landings for the fishery should be a subject of concern as the management This fish is landed mainly by the gill nets and hook and lines. Some quantity is also landed by the trawlers, and most of them are juveniles. This may also be a reason for the decline in the landings of the group. So proper stock assessment and management advisories are required for sustainable exploitation of this resource.
5)Ribbon fish
Local name: Balle Resource
type: Pelagic
Ribbon fishes are one of the major fisheries resources which are utilised for fresh, dried and frozen consumption. The frozen ribbon fishes are exported to South East Asian countries where there exists a good demand. The major species of ribbon fishes landed along Goa are the large head hair tail, Trichiurus lepturus and the savala hairtail, Lepturacanthus savala. The total landings of the ribbon fish along the Indian coast amounts to 2.3-2.4 lakh tonnes/ annum (CMFRI, 2013). The group contributes to about 3.08% of the total marine fishery resource landings in Goa. The average annual catch of ribbon fishes along Goa during 2001-2012 was 2243 tonnes.The catch trend in ribbon fish shows a dome shaped curve during the last decade.
Source: Directorate of Fisheries, Govt. of Goa (2012-13)
Figure 5. Catch trend for ribbon fish during 2001-2012 along Goa coast
The catch shows an increase from 291 tonnes in 2001 to 5791 tonnes in 2005. The maximum and minimum catch during the period was 5791 tonnes in 2005 and 49 tonnes in 2011. The decline in landings for the fishery started from 5791 tonnes in 2005 to 49 tonnes in 2011. This fish is landed mainly as a by catch of multi-day shrimp trawlers. The catch mainly constitutes juvenile and sub-adult stocks. This may also be a reason for the decline in the landings of the group in the second phase of the decade. So proper stock assessment and management advisories are required for this resource
6)Silver bellies
Local name: Kampi Resource
type: Demersal
Silver bellies are another important demersal resource which forms the cheap protein source for the common people and the poor. This is utilised for fresh and dried consumption. The dried and dry salted fish is being transported to local interior markets. The major species of silver bellies landed along Goa are Leiognathus splendens, L. dussumieri, L. equulus, L. bindus, Gazza minuta and Secutor insidiator. The total landings of the silver bellies along Indian coast amount to 0.8-1.2 lakh tonnes/ annum (CMFRI, 2013). The group contributes to about 2.88% of the total marine fishery resource landings in Goa. The average annual catch of silver bellies along Goa during 2001-2012 was 2223 tonnes.The catch trend in silver bellies has shown a declining trend during the last decade.
Source: Directorate of Fisheries, Govt. of Goa (2012-13)
Figure 6. Catch trend for silver bellies during 2001-2012 along Goa coast
The catch was decreasing from 3818 tonnes in 2001 to 1584 tonnes in 2010. The maximum and minimum catch during the period was 3818 tonnes in 2001 and 1012 tonnes in 2011. This resource is landed as a by catch of multi-day shrimp trawlers. The catch mainly constitutes brooders, juveniles and sub-adult stocks. This may also be a reason for the decline in the landings of the group in the second phase of the decade. So proper stock assessment and management advisories are required for this resource.
7)Croakers
Local name: Dodiaro Resource
type: Demersal
Croakers under the family Sciaenidae are an important demersal fish resource which forms the cheap protein source for the common people and the poor. This is utilised for fresh and dried consumption. The swim bladder of the fish is dried and used The dried, and dry salted fish is being transported to local interior markets. The major species of croakers landed along Goa are the Johnius dussumieri, J. macrorhynus, Johnieops borneensis, biaurites, Otolithes cuvieri, O. ruber. O. argenteus amounts to 1.6-2 lakh tonnes/annum (CMFRI, 2013). The group contributes to about 2.75% of the total marine fishery resource landings in Goa. The average annual catch of croakers along Goa during 2001-2012 was 2209 tonnes.
Source: Directorate of Fisheries, Govt. of Goa (2012-13)
Figure 7. Catch trend for croakers during 2001-2012 along Goa coast
The catch trend in croakers has shown a fluctuating trend during the last decade with a decreasing trend from 2005-2010. The catch was increasing from 1629 tonnes in 2002 to 3211 tonnes in 2005. The maximum and minimum catch during the period was 3211 tonnes in 2005 and 1376 tonnes in 2010. This resource is also generally landed as a by catch of multiday shrimp trawlers and also caught by gillnets, seine nets in small quantities. The largely sized croakers like Ghol or Koth will be caught using hook and lines. The catch of Sciaenids also mainly constitutes brooders, juveniles and sub-adult stocks. This may also be a reason for the decline in the landings of the group in the second phase of the decade. So proper stock assessment and management advisories are required for sustainable exploitation of this resource.
8) Flat fish
Local name: Lepo Resource
type: Demersal
Flat fishes are the important demersal fish resource which forms the cheap protein source for the common people and the poor. This is utilised mainly in dried form for consumption. The fresh and iced marketing is also there for this resource. The dried and dry salted fish is being transported to local interior markets. The major species of flat fishes landed along Goa are the Cynoglossus macrostomus, Cynoglossus macrolepidotus, Cynoglossus puncticeps, Psettodes erumei and Brachirus orientalis etc. The total landings of the flatfishes along Indian coast amount to 0.5-0.6 lakh tonnes/annum with a major contribution from the soles (CMFRI, 2013). This group contributes to about 2.31% of the total marine fishery resource landings in Goa. The average annual catch of flat fish along Goa during 2001-2012 was 2278 tonnes.
Source: Directorate of Fisheries, Govt. of Goa (2012-13)
Figure 8. Catch trend for flat fish during 2001-2012 along Goa coast
The catch trend in flat fish has shown a flat decreasing trend during the last decade. The catch was decreasing from 2935 tonnes in 2003 to 1606 tonnes in 2010, and further, it increased rapidly during 2011-12. The maximum and minimum catch during the period was 3995 tonnes in 2011 and 1532 tonnes in 2009. This resource is also generally landed as a by catch of multi-day shrimp trawlers and also caught using gillnets, seine nets etc. The catch of flat fish also mainly constitutes brooders, juveniles and sub-adult stocks. This may also be a reason for the decline in the landings of the group in the latter part of the decade. So, proper stock assessment and management advisories are required for this resource.
9) Cat fish
Local name: Sangot Resource
type: Demersal
Cat fishes are the important demersal fish resource which is heavily exploited by the trawlers and purse seiners. This is utilised mainly for fresh consumption,, and some quantity is iced and transported to distant markets. The major species of Cat fishes landed along Goa are the Arius thalassinus, Arius caelatus, A. subrostratus, A. arius, A. tenuispinis, A. platystomus and A. dussumieri etc. The total landings of the cat fish along Indian coast amounts to 0.8-0.9 lakh tonnes/annum (CMFRI, 2013). This group contributes to about 1.99% of the total marine fishery resource landings in Goa. The average annual catch of cat fish along Goa during 2001-2012 was 1571 tonnes.
Source: Directorate of Fisheries, Govt. of Goa (2012-13)
Figure 9. Catch trend for catfish during 2001-2012 along Goa coast
The catch trend in cat fish has shown a fluctuating trend during the last decade.It was decreasing from 2436 tonnes in 2001 to 1007 tonnes in 2003 which was followed by an increasing trend from 1043 tonnes in 2004 to 2586 tonnes in 2006. The catch was again decreasing from 2586 tonnes in 2006 to 1480 tonnes in 2008. The maximum and minimum catch during the period was 2586 tonnes in 2006 and 364 tonnes in 2012. This resource is being exploited by purse seiners (mouth brooding males and shoaling females), trawlers (Juveniles and sub adults) and gill nets. Thus, the different biological groups of this resource are heavily exploited by a different type of gears. So, proper stock assessment and advisories are necessary for the management of this resource.
10) Cuttle fish
Local name: Manki Resource
type: Mollusc
Cuttle fish is a major cephalopod resource along with squid, which comes under the Molluscan resources. This important commercial shell fish resource is heavily exploited by the trawlers, hook and lines, squid jiggers and gill nets. This is utilised mainly for frozen export (Whole, fillets, strips, nidamental gland) and fresh consumption. There is a huge demand for this resource in South East Asia, China, Japan and Europe. The major species of Cuttle fish landed along Goa are the Sepia pharaonis, Sepia aculeate and Sepiella inermis. The total landings of the cuttle fish along Indian coast amounts to 0.7-0.9 lakh tonnes/annum (CMFRI, 2013). This group contributes to about 1.84% of the total marine fishery resource landings in Goa. The average annual catch of cuttle fish along Goa during 2001-2012 was 1398 tonnes.
Source: Directorate of Fisheries, Govt. of Goa (2012-13)
Figure 10. Catch trend for cuttle fish during 2001-2012 along Goa coast
The catch trend in cuttle fish has shown a fluctuating trend during the last decade. The catch was decreasing from 2027 tonnes in 2001 to 73 tonnes in 2005 which was followed by an increasing trend from 73 tonnes in 2005 to 1659 tonnes in 2010. However, there is a declining trend for the past few years during 2008-2012. The maximum and minimum catch during the period was 2201 tonnes in 2008 and 73 tonnes in 2005. This resource is landed mainly as a by catch of trawls. The overexploitation of the juvenile and brooder stocks of the resource has done mainly by the bottom trawlers and the mid water trawlers. So, proper stock assessment and advisories are necessary for the management of this resource.
11) Sharks
Local name: Mori Resource
type: Demersal
Sharks are the important demersal fish resource under the main group elasmobranchs which is overexploited by the trawlers, purse seines, gillnets, longlines and hook & lines. This group has very high economic demand which is mainly utilised for fresh and dried consumption. Moreover, the export of frozen shark meat, shark fins, shark liver oil, shark teeth and bones for ornamental purpose gives a a high contribution to the value of marine products exports from the country. The major species of Sharks landed along Goa are the Charcharhinus limbatus, C. dussumieri, Rhizoprinodon acutus, Scoliodon sorrokowah, Sphyrna zygaena, S. lewini and Alopias vulpenes etc. The total landings of the sharks along Indian coast amount to 0.2-0.25 lakh tonnes/annum (CMFRI, 2013). This group contributes to about 1.72% of the total marine fishery resource landings in Goa. The average annual catch of sharks along Goa during 2001-2012 was 1272 tonnes.
Source: Directorate of Fisheries, Govt. of Goa (2012-13)
Figure 11. Catch trend for sharks during 2001-2012 along Goa coast
The catch trend in shark has shown static trend during the first half of the last decade. The catch declined to 988 tonnes in 2006 from 1716 tonnes in 2005. The static trend has continued again till the year 2009,, and in 2010, the catch was mounted to 3159 tonnes. The maximum and minimum catch during the period from 2001-2009 was 1716 tonnes in 2005 and 988 tonnes in 2006.
After the sharp increase in 2010, the catch dropped steeply to a historical low of 234 tonnes in 2012. The different biological groups of the resource are being exploited by almost all the gears. The sharks are slow growing, low biomass and low fecund fishes. Moreover, they show oviparity, Ovo-viviparity and viviparity in their reproductive behaviour. Some of the species are scheduled in the wild life protection act of India. So, proper stock assessment and advisories are necessary for the management of this resource.
12) Tuna
Local name: Bokdo Resource
type: Pelagic
Tuna is an important pelagic and oceanic fish resource under the family Scombridae which are exploited by the purse seines, longlines, hook and lines, trawls, pole and line and gill nets. This group has very high economic demand which is mainly exported as fresh, frozen, chilled and processed fish to Europe, South East Asia, Japan and USA. They include coastal tunas; Euthynnus affinis, Auxis thazard, Auxis rochei and Thunnus tongoll and oceanic tunas; Thunnus albacares, Katsuwonus pelamis and Thunnus obesus. The total landings of the tuna along Indian coast amount to 0.7- 0.8 lakh tonnes/annum (CMFRI, 2013). This group contributes to about 1.57 % of the total marine fishery resource landings in Goa. The average annual catch of tuna along Goa during 2001-2012 was 1564 tonnes
Source: Directorate of Fisheries, Govt. of Goa (2012-13)
Figure 12. Catch trend for tuna during 2001-2012 along Goa coast
The catch trend in tuna has shown a gradually increasing trend with fluctuations during the last decade. It was increasing from 198 tonnes in 2001 to 1241 tonnes in 2003 followed by a decrease in 2004. The catch again showed a fluctuating trend from 2004 (609 tonnes) to 2007 (1916 tonnes) with an increase of catch. In short, the catch was increasing from 198 tonnes in 2001 to 3801 tonnes in 2011. The maximum and minimum catch during the period from was 3801 tonnes in 2011 and 198 tonnes in 2001.
However, there was a sharp drop to 1621 tonnes in 2012. The coastal tuna resources are over exploited and oceanic resources are underexploited. The management advisories can be focussed on regulation on coastal tuna fishery and promotion of the oceanic tuna fishery. The oceanic resources can be exploited using different deep sea fishing methods to increase the marine fish production along the coast. The tuna based potential fishing zone advisories are also coming up which will help fishermen to locate and sustainably exploit the resources.
13) Crabs
Local name: Kurlio Resource
type: Crustacean
Crabs are one of the major resources which have high demand in the domestic as well as foreign markets. This fetches a a very high unit price in the foreign markets. This resource is mainly caught using gillnets, traps and trawls (by catch). The dominant species of crabs landed in Goa includes pelagic swimming crab, Portunus pelagicus, three spot crab, Portunus sanguinolentus and Crucian crab, Charybdis feriatus. The major chunk of the catch is utilised as fresh and transported to the interior and distant markets with ice. The frozen whole crab, crab meat and crab claw are important export items from the resource. The total landings of the crabs along Indian coast amount to 0.5 lakh tonnes/ annum (CMFRI, 2013). The group contributes to about 1.11% of the total marine fishery resource landings in Goa. The average annual catch of crabs along Goa during 2001-2012 was 985 tonnes.
Source: Directorate of Fisheries, Govt. of Goa (2012-13)
Figure 13. Catch trend for crabs during 2001-2012 along Goa coast
The crabs have shown a gradual positive increasing trend from 654 tonnes in 2002 to 1349 tonnes in 2009. The catch was drastically declined to 763 tonnes in 2010 which was followed by an increase to 1160 tonnes in 2012. The maximum and minimum catch during the period was 1349 tonnes in 2009 and 654 tonnes in 2002. A huge quantity of berried females of Portunus pelagicus and P. sanguinolentus are landed as a by catch of trawls in Goa. This might have caused the sharp decline in the landings of this resource. Proper stock assessment and output control measures are necessary for management of this resource. Minimum Legal Size for the export of different species of crabs has been recommended by MPEDA based on the evaluation of biological reference points. Unfortunately, the same has not implemented in a regulatory mode.
Source-
MLA
“Catch Trends In Major Marine Fisheries Resources Of Goa.” SpotiDoc. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Sep. 2017 <http://spotidoc.com/doc/1302038/catch-trends-in-major-marine-fisheries-resources>.
APA
Catch Trends In Major Marine Fisheries Resources Of Goa. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://spotidoc.com/doc/1302038/catch-trends-in-major-marine-fisheries-resources
- Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Ela, Old Goa, Goa
