RELATIVE FISHING POWER OP TRAWLERS OPERATED OFF COCHIN

Abstract

ALL vessels do not have same fishing power. The absolute fishing power
of a vessel is measured in terms of the fishing mortality generated by it. But
since the latter cannot be measured directly, a relative fishing power of a
vessel has been defined as the ratio of the catch per unit fishing time of the
vessel to that of another fishing vessel taken as standard when both are
fishing on the same ground and the same density of fish. In this way, a
fishing power can be allotted to each vessel. Once the relative fishing power
of different vessels are known, it will be easy to Compute the total
intensity of fishing effort, an accurate estimate of which is so essential in
the study of stock assessments of fisheries