Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Advancement in traditional fishing methods for nearshore fisheries around Tuticorin, Gulf of Mannar.

Volume 35 Issue 1&2

Sam Bennet and G. Arumugam

Abstract

Recent years have witnessed a silent diversification of traditional fishing methods all along the east and west coasts of India. This is especially so around Tuticorin. Two recent innovations in fishing gear added great impetus to the capture of nearshore fish and prawns.

One such gear is the ‘Thallu madi' a smaller modified version of the shrimp trawl. It is operated round the year from a single non-mechanised Tuticorin type boat. Another gear is the improved drift gill net them ‘Disco net’. It is normally operated from a powered Tuticorin type boat. By and large these nets are dependable and good many traditional fishermen re benefited from them by way of improved catch.

Operational parameters, species composition and catch-per-unit are given for ‘Thallu madi' from 1979 to 1986 and for ‘Disco net' from its introduction in the 1987 season.

Date : 31-10-1993