Panaji, 11 February 2025

A ground breaking deep-sea fishing expedition by the Fishery Survey of India (FSI) has revealed several highly productive, potentially untouched fishing grounds in the Arabian Sea. This discovery, funded by the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) scheme, marks a significant step towards expanding India's fishing industry and ensuring future food security.

The FSI, the nation's premier fishery research organization under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, conducted the survey aboard a deep-sea trawler, operating day and night at depths between 300 and 540 meters. The expedition covered a vast area from Kollam, Kerala to Goa. 

The newly discovered grounds, located approximately 100 -120 nautical miles off India’s western coast, boast an impressive average catch per unit effort (CPUE) of 150-300 kg/hr.  Interestingly, the survey found no significant difference in catches or species diversity between day and night fishing. The area is rich in a variety of commercially valuable crustaceans,  including Humpback nylon shrimp, Arabian red shrimp, Deep sea mud shrimp, Deepwater spiny  lobster, and Deep sea squat lobster. Cephalopod resources like Opisthoteuthissp and Octopoteuthissicula were also abundant.

Furthermore, the new grounds support a diverse fish population, encompassing species such as Froghead eel, Rosy cod, Sackfish, Snake mackerel, Royal escolar, Myctiophids, Bandfishes, Duckbill flathead, Splendid alfonsino, Shadow driftfish, Spinyjawgreeneye, Shortfinneoscopelid, and Stargazers. Elasmobranchs, including Sicklefin chimaera, Pygmy ribbontailcatshark, Bramble shark, Indian swellshark, and Travancore skate, were also present in good numbers.

“This significant finding demonstrates the dedication of FSI to investigate untapped deep-sea fishery resources,” said Dr. Sreenath K. R., Director General of FSI. “Our research will enhance scientific understanding to ensure the sustainability of marine ecosystems and strengthen India’s fishing industry, contributing to the Honourable Prime Minister's vision of doubling fishermen’s income,” he said.

Dr. S. Ramachandran, Zonal Director of FSI's Mormugao base, emphasized the importance of this discovery in the face of increasing pressure on coastal fisheries. “Coastal fishery resources face growing pressure from overfishing, habitat degradation, and climate change. Deep-sea resources emerge as a critical alternative for sustaining fisheries and ensuring food security in the nation,” he said.

The FSI's team of dedicated scientists, including Dr. Nashad M, Shri. Shiva A, Shri. Ashik P, Shri. VenkateshSaroj, and Chief Engineer Joseph Ignatious, along with the Goa base team of Dr. H. D. Pradeep, Dr. M. K. Sinha, and Shri. Raju S. Nagpure, were instrumental in the success of the expedition.

The reconnaissance of deep-sea fishery resources will continue its exploratory surveys to further assess the potential of these deep-sea ecosystems. Future research will focus on evaluating fish populations, understanding the complex marine environment, and developing sustainable management strategies for these newly discovered fishing grounds.

                

Catches of day fishing

Catches of night fishing

 

Potential fishing ground depicted in map

 

 

 

 

PIB, Panaji/NM/RB/PM

 

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