Marine scientists call for pan India ban on trash fish catch

Stress laid on conserving marine environment and ensuring sustainability of commercially important species

Marine scientists have called for a pan India ban on catching trash fish, including juveniles, to conserve the marine environment as well ensuring sustainability of commercially important marine species.

A senior marine conservationist said trash fish or bycatch used to be dumped back into the sea in the past because they were considered unfit for human consumption. However, there is considerable increase in the volume of bycatch because of the growing demand for fishmeal in the country to sustain mostly shrimp aquaculture.

Trash fish and juveniles are sold to fishmeal factories that operate mostly in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Some have even sprung up in Kerala recently, said senior marine scientist Sunil Mohammed. He added that fishers were now known to be making exclusive attempts to net trash fish on their normal fishing trips. He said trash fish fetched between ₹25 and ₹30 a kg. Dr. Mohammed said most of the trash fish was caught close to the shore though there had been a general policy not to allow trawling within the 12 nautical-mile offshore area.