August 3, 2010

Indian state's fish catch declines but export increases

 

Statistics show that Goa's fish catch has declined dramatically although its export has shot up in the same manner.

Figures released by the state department of fisheries at the ongoing monsoon session of the legislative assembly: In 2007, Goa's catch was 94,255 tonnes of fish; the number decreased to 91,849 tonnes in 2008. And, in 2009, the fish catch came drastically down to 83,970 tonnes.

In the last three years, Goa exported 17,531 tonnes of fish in 2007, and this increased to 21,434 tonnes in 2008. In 2009, the state's exports of marine fish shot up to 27,009 tonnes. It must be pointed out here that the marine fish exported from Goa is done through the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT). The fish exported includes the catch made not only in Goa, but also from neighbouring states.

"However, the number contributed by trawlers from neighbouring states to Goa fish exports is negligible. Goa has 1,150 registered fishing trawlers, while 825 of them are currently in operation. There has been no increase in the number, as the government had taken a decision nine years ago to freeze the number of fishing trawlers at 1,150. However, permissions are given for replacements," says fisheries director S C Verenkar.

Incidentally, a government scheme for encouraging entrepreuners to under take sweet-water fish breeding has not really clicked. The purpose of the scheme was mainly to cater to the local demand for fish during the fishing ban. "Goans are not really used to eating sweet water fish," Verenkar says.

"The drastic decline in the catch of fish over the last two years can be attributed to excess fishing operations. There are too many trawlers. We have been spotting trawlers even from Kerala and Karnataka coming here to fish in our waters and the engines that they use are powerful in the range of 280-350 hp," says Menino Afonso, director of Mandovi Fisheries.