Fish catch patterns and estimation of maximum sustainable yield for sustainable fish catch in the fishing grounds off Gulf of Mannar, India

Abstract

Fish catch patterns with seasonal variation of the three traditional fishing grounds off Tiruchendur coast, Gulf of Mannar was studied for the period of two years (2009-10). The main objective of the study was to estimate the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) for the sustainable harvesting. A total of 31 commercially important fishes were caught from the sampling boats, which included 9 species of pelagic, 16 species of demersal, 4 species of crustaceans and 2 species were available in mid water and benthic region. A total of 15395 kg and 15013.5 kg of fish catch were recorded at station 1 and 2 respectively. Comparatively, more fish catch about 17073.65 kg was recorded at station 3 during the study. Fish catch and CPUE showed a similar trend during the study, which indicates that fishing effort has positive impact on catch. The predicted maximum sustainable yield (MSY) for station 1 was about 665.7kg with optimum effort of 10.6 kg/h. In station 2, MSY was about 699 kg with optimum effort of 9 kg/h. At station 3, the MSY was 976 kg with an optimum effort of 11.16kg/h. The results of Schaefer model revealed that the fishery has already attained the sustainable level and also suggested that the current levels of effort are optimal.