National Consultative Meeting on Ring Seine Fishing

The ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Cochin conducted a National Consultative Meeting on Management of Ring Seine Fishing for Conservation of Resources and Reduction of Carbon Footprint on 13 March, 2015 Dr. E.G. Silas, Former Vice Chancellor, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur and Former Director, ICAR- CMFRI, Cochin inaugurated the meeting which was primarily aimed at discussing the technical status of the present ring seine fishing along the Indian coast.   Dr. Silas observed that it was the ingeniousness of the fishermen that led to the development of this fishery and its role in taking the Kerala to the forefront in marine fishery resource exploitation. The meeting was presided over by Dr. C.N. Ravishankar, Director, ICAR-CIFT. A total of 21 invited participants from State Fisheries Departments, research institutions and academia attended the meeting.

Presentations were made on Contribution of ring seine sector in marine fish production by Dr. M. Sivadas, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CMFRI; Evolution and growth of ring seine fishing systems by Dr. Leela Edwin, Principal Scientist and Acting Head, FT, ICAR-CIFT;and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and carbon footprint by Shri P.H. Dhiju Das, Research Associate, ICAR-CIFT. Participants discussed the technical issues raised in the presentations which was moderated by Dr. M.R. Boopendranath, former Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIFT. The participants felt that the fishing systems need to be standardized; low cost user friendly sonar system appropriate for ring seiners need to be developed; and appropriate material with high breaking strength may be identified for partial replacement of areas which are vulnerable to dolphin and puffer fish attack. It was also felt that fibre glass construction is shown to have high global warming potential, acidification potential and eutrophication potential compared to steel and hence steel as construction material is advisable. There was also need to improve the resolution of landing statisticsto facilitate techno-economic analysis leading to identification of more profitable combinations.

Dr. C.N. Ravishankar delivering the presidential address. On the dias are: Dr. P. Pravin,
Dr. M.R. Boopendranath, Dr. E.G. Silas and Dr. Leela Edwin