DEEP SEA FISHING– The potential of tuna fishery in the Indian Ocean, was estimated by Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) with the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) for Yellowfin tuna at 3.44 lakh tonnes and have reported that for sustainable production the exploitation shall not exceed 3 lakh tonnes.

 

Apart from the tuna resources, the non-convential deep sea resources available in our waters also provide ample scope for exploitation. The deep sea shrimps like Metapenaeopsis andamanensis, Aristeus alcocki, Pleasonkins spinipes etc., deep sea oceanic squids and deep sea fishes like Myctophids (Lantern fish) also provide great scope for exploitation.

 

Department of fisheries, GoI has come up with draft national fisheries policy which empowers the Coastal State Governments / Union Territories through delegation of powers to grant Marine Fishing Licenses for the EEZ and high seas.  It also encourages and empowers small scale fishers and fisher groups for undertaking resource specific deep sea fishing for harnessing untapped potential of high value resources like tuna and tuna like species, myctophids and oceanic squids in a sustainable manner within the EEZ and High Seas, in compliance with international agreements / arrangements.

 

Further, for effective utilization of the deep sea fishery resources, steps to support fishing vessels with additional capacity to undertake extended voyages by infusion of modern technology and capacity building is also being initiated.

 

Introduction of modern electronic equipments such as GPS, Fish Finder and other communication devices have paved way for multiday fishing and triggered the pace for deep sea fishing.