Mini-trawls for Estuarine Fishing in Kasargod District

Abstract

Mini-trawls are operated by the artisanal fishermen from small wooden non-motorised canoes. Shrimp, fish and crab trawls with head rope length ranging from 3.5-8 m, made of Polyethylene monofilament (PE) twisted and Polyamide multifilament (PA) rigged to 6-7 kg flat rectangular wooden otter boards are common in the lower reaches of Kariangode and Chandragiri rivers. Since the trawling speed is less, catch is dominated by crustaceans. Less scope ratio also may be affecting the catching efficiency of the gear. This paper deals with the design, operation and economics of mini trawling carried out by a group of fishermen in the above rivers of Kasargod district, Kerala state.