Impact of Minimum Legal Size Regulation Boosts Threadfin Bream Yield in Kerala

A study by ICAR-CMFRI reveals that banning juvenile fishing has increased the yield of threadfin breams by 41% in Kerala. The regulation boosted spawning stock biomass and prevented species extinction. However, for broader effectiveness, it needs enforcement across the value chain. The pandemic has also affected fishermen's consumption patterns.

Enforcing the Minimum Legal Size (MLS) regulation, which bans juvenile fishing, has led to a significant 41 percent increase in the yield of threadfin breams in Kerala, according to a recent ICAR-CMFRI study.

The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) found that the regulation has also boosted the spawning stock biomass, standing stock biomass, yield, and recruitment of threadfin breams, one of the species heavily impacted by juvenile fishing.

The study was unveiled at a stakeholder workshop organized by CMFRI, which featured discussions with fishermen and industry representatives about various research findings.

In a press release, CMFRI emphasized the need for comprehensive MLS enforcement throughout the value chain and stricter regulation of fishing net mesh sizes for greater efficacy.

Preventing juvenile fishing is crucial for the marine fisheries sector to conserve species and avoid economic losses. The sector has incurred an estimated Rs 1,777 crore loss over the past seven years due to juvenile fishing of various species, including threadfin breams and oil sardine, according to the study.

The report also highlighted that many sharks caught along Kerala's coast are below breeding size, pointing to gaps in the regulation.

The study further noted a significant reduction in fishermen's consumption of essential items like food and education post-COVID-19, with consumption dropping by up to 34 percent in districts such as Ernakulam.

(With inputs from agencies.)