Diversity of by catch at Visakhapatnam fishing Harbour

Abstract

The noncommercial fishes called by catch forms a significant quantity of the total marine fish landings particularly in the landing area of Visakhapatnam fishing harbor. Among the inedible fishes bulk catches of juvenile fishes, low value fishes and unacceptable for human consumption were also included, and these were commonly referred to as by catch. Visakhapatnam is one of the main harbors with deep-sea trawler base on the east coast of India, field survey was conducted in Visakhapatnam fishing harbor between October 2014 to September 2016. Totally 21 dominant species of shellfish and fin fishes from by catch were identified. 9 species of shell fish and 12 species of fin fish were found from by catch. Hence the present study was focused to investigate the diversity of by catch along the fishing harbor, Visakhapatnam.