Modified Norwegian Trap for Marine Ornamental and Food Fishes off South-East Coast of India

M. Kalaiarasan; N. Neethiselvan; B. Sundaramoorthy; S.A. Shanmugam; Xavier P. Rayan

doi:10.56093/ft.v52i2.48193

Authors

M. Kalaiarasan Department of Fishing Technology and Fisheries Engineering, Fisheries College and Research Institute, Thoothukudi - 628 008, India
N. Neethiselvan Department of Fishing Technology and Fisheries Engineering, Fisheries College and Research Institute, Thoothukudi - 628 008, India
B. Sundaramoorthy Department of Fishing Technology and Fisheries Engineering, Fisheries College and Research Institute, Thoothukudi - 628 008, India
S.A. Shanmugam Department of Fishing Technology and Fisheries Engineering, Fisheries College and Research Institute, Thoothukudi - 628 008, India
Xavier P. Rayan Department of Fishing Technology and Fisheries Engineering, Fisheries College and Research Institute, Thoothukudi - 628 008, India

https://doi.org/10.56093/ft.v52i2.48193

Keywords:

Trap fishing, marine ornamental fishes, traditional trap, Norwegian collapsible trap

Abstract

Abstract
Study on the performance of a Norwegian collapsible
trap along Keelakarai coast of Tamil Nadu, India
revealed that the trap requires modification in the
funnel design to capture native species. Performance
of the modified Norwegian collapsible trap (MNCT)
was compared with the most popular traditional
trap of Keelakarai. The study was carried out in the
fishing ground located between Appa Island and
Mullai Island. Design of trap and season were found
to be the major factors affecting the catch rate of both
ornamental and food fishes in the trap. Significant
difference in the degree of vulnerability of food and
ornamental fishes to traps (p<0.01) were noticed.
The traditional trap had the highest cost per unit
operational volume of INR 3720 m-3 and stacked
volume of 0.43 m3 trap-1 while the MNCT was found
to be more economical owing to its lesser cost per
unit operational volume (INR 1667 m-3) and lesser
staked volume of 0.15 m3 trap-1. However, on weight
basis, the number of traps that can be staked per
tonne weight displacement of fishing vessel by
MNCT was 47.17 t-1 against 66.67 traps t-1 for
traditional traps. Further, no notable difference
could be observed with respect to selectivity of
MNCT and traditional traps over different ornamental
and food fishes caught.