Ring Seines of South Kerala Coast

Abstract

Ring seine or mini-purse seine is currently one of the prominent fishing gears in the artisanal fishery sector of Kerala. Since its introduction in mid-eighties, the ring seine has caused displacement of gears such as Thangu vala, operated from the traditional boat seine craft, Thangu Vallam. The design and operational features of the ring seine prevalent in the Alleppey - Cochin coast have been described in this paper alongwith a review of the important changes that have taken place in the design and operation of the gear, since its introduction.