Relative Fuel Consumption and Effective Fishing Time of Small-scale Mechanised Gillnetters, off Cochin

Abstract

The drift gillnet operation is one of the important low energy fishing methods in small scale fishing sector along the Indian coast. The gillnet operations have undergone considerable change in the form of increased length class and horse power of fishing crafts employed, which enable the vessels to operate at distant fishing grounds and with enhanced operational efficiency. An understanding of effective fishing time and fuel efficiency will lead to considerable improvement in operational efficiency of gillnetters. The analysis of the effective fishing time and relative fuel consumption among the selected length classes of gillnetters operating from Cochin Fisheries Harbour showed that effective fishing time increased with increase in length overall and the relative fuel savings was higher in length 31-35' class vessels.