In a recent report presented by the Central Marine Fisheries Institute (CMFRI), it has been revealed that Kerala’s marine fisheries sector is grappling with substantial losses due to the continued practice of juvenile fishing in the state’s coastal waters. The report was unveiled during a stakeholder workshop held at the institute, where the dire situation was discussed.
The CMFRI report highlights a concerning trend: a staggering 31 percent of threadfin breams (locally known as Kilimeen) caught off the Kerala coast in the previous year were juveniles, falling below the Minimum Legal Size (MLS) limit. This detrimental practice resulted in a staggering loss of Rs 178 crore for the marine fisheries sector in the region. Additionally, juvenile fishing of Indian oil sardines caused another significant loss, totaling Rs 137 crore.
The workshop convened a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives of fishermen, boat owners, and allied workers, to deliberate on the latest trends and issues plaguing Kerala’s marine fisheries sector. CMFRI Principal Scientist Dr. T M Najmudeen presented the report, noting that the problem of juvenile fishing had been increasingly reported during the trawling ban period in 2022, as compared to previous years.
Dr. Najmudeen emphasized that although the unscientific practice had been on the decline since the implementation of MLS regulations in the state, it remained a pressing concern. Minimum Legal Size (MLS) regulations are considered a crucial fisheries management tool aimed at protecting juvenile fish, maintaining spawning stocks, and controlling the sizes of fish caught.
In a case study analyzing the impact of MLS implementation on threadfin breams, the CMFRI found substantial improvements. After the regulation was put in place, the standing stock biomass, yield, and recruitment numbers of this fish increased by 27 percent, 47 percent, and 64 percent, respectively.
The CMFRI also revealed that for every tonne of juvenile oil sardines caught, the sector incurred a loss of Rs 4,54,000. Dr. Najmudeen stressed that refraining from exploiting young fish stocks would not only help fishermen increase their income but also contribute to the revival of the struggling sector.
CMFRI Director Dr. A Gopalakrishnan pointed out that self-regulation and favorable climatic conditions contributed to the increase in marine fish production, including oil sardines, in Kerala last year. He suggested that the uniform implementation of MLS regulations, as advocated by CMFRI, could potentially yield similar positive results if adopted by other coastal states.
Stakeholders participating in the workshop called for the nationwide implementation of MLS regulations and demanded a special compensation package to offset the losses incurred due to refraining from juvenile fishing. They also urged restrictions on the entry of fishing boats from other states into Kerala’s coastal waters and the cessation of new boat licenses to address the critical issue.