The good news nevertheless is that production of Tarlo (sardines) has doubled during this period.
The government attributes bumper fish catch to extended fishing ban period to 61 days in 2015-16 from 47 days in 2011-12. The records by Fisheries Department further indicates that prawns, pomfret (paplet), cuttlefish (manki), tuna (bokdo), reef cod (gobro), silver belly (kampi), dodiaro (sciaenoid) and crabs are few species that witnessed increase in production.
“The long fishing ban period allows ample time for breeding. Avoiding fishing during the spawning period has certainly increased fish stock. We expect a similar scenario this ongoing season too,” a fisheries official said.
However, soles (lepo), shark (mori) and catfish (sangot) fall in the other category.
The mackerels catch, which was 23544 in 2011-12 came down to 11432 in 2015-16. The officer explains that various reasons could be various other factors for the decline in some other fish species. “But it does not mean that fish stock is limited. The production has shown an impressive high. It could be because of strict implementation of extended ban period as well as friendly environmental conditions,” he reiterated.
