Investigations on purse seine operations off central Kerala during late 1990s and recent technological changes

Abstract

Purse seining is one of the important fishing methods for pelagic fishery resources. The results of investigations on mechanised purse seine operations during late 1990s off central Kerala are presented in this paper along with recent technological changes in the sector. Since its introduction in commercial fisheries, several changes and improvements have taken place
in the design and operation of purse seines. The dimensions of the gear which was about 320x28 m during early 1970s, increased to 823x73 m during late 1990s and further to 1200x100 m towards 2015. Mesh sizes used in the main body of the seine which were 12-13 mm during the early days of introduction of the gear, increased to 20-46 mm in recent years. There
was an upward shift in vessel sizes which reached up to 22 m LOA in recent years, with a significant escalation in installed engine horsepower to 285-510 hp. Mechanised purse seine vessels started using fish finding equipment, navigational and communication facilities like Echosounder, global positioning system (GPS) and very high frequency (VHF) radio, in
recent years. The role of technological skill of skipper and crew are very important in ensuring the success of purse seining operation and there is a need for technological facilitation in terms of the use of fish finding equipments like sonar, potential fishing zone (PFZ) information based on satellite based remote sensing, possible use of fish aggregating devices and adoption of gear handling equipment such as power blocks.