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Marine

Research and Management

Editors

V.N. Pillai and N.G. Menon

Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute

(Indian Council of Agricultural Research) Tatapuram P.O., Cochin-682 014

Kerala, India

2000

(2)

^ Q Marine fish production and export marketing

* ^ • ^ trend in Kerala - an economic analysis

R. Sathiadhas, R. Reghu, A. Kanakkan and N.K. Harshan

ABSTRACT

Though the marine fish production has conslderbly increased over the years .the economically backward traditional fishermen in the nonmechanised sector has been highly marginalised with enhanced mechanisation and motorisation of the fishing units.

Inspite of the increase in fleet size and decrease in the catch rates, the mechanised and the motorised sectors still sustain mainly due to the increase in the price of almost all the varieties of fishes. The present study was carried out in Kerala coast during 1995-96, to assess the sectoral contribution of marine fish production, export trend of marine products and economics of prominent craft gear combinations. Production trend clearly indicates a declining catch of oil sardine and catfish in recent years and marked improvement in the production of penaeid prawns and cephalopods. More than 20% of the marine products exported from India are from Kerala and theforex earnings by the state during 1994-95 was Rs. 816.64 crores. The need for giving emphasis for product development and value added products has been stressed to improve our forex earn- ings. Almost all type of fishing units operating along Kerala coast are found to be economically viable.

Introduction

Marine fisheries play a pivotal role in the economy of the coastal fisherfolk of Kerala. Currently the State's s h a r e is over 5 lakh tonnes of marine fish per a n n u m and s t a n d s first among the maritime States of India in fish produc- tion. With a coastline of 590 km, Kerala is having 304 fishing villages and 222 landing c e n t r e s . There are a b o u t 7 lakh marine fisherfolk in the State, of which 20% are active fishermen. The labour-intensive traditional fishing t e c h n i q u e s are slowly vanishing from the Kerala Coast. Mechanised fishing

(3)

Marine flgh production and export marketing trend In Kerala - an economic analysts h a s been introduced first in Kerala during the late fifties u n d e r the erstwhile Indo-Norweglan project and It h a s since t h e n spread to other S t a t e s . Al- though m e c h a n i s a t i o n paved the way for Increased landings a n d the devel- opment of an organised seafood i n d u s t r y in the country. It h a s marginalised the traditional fishermen who have gone for rapid motorisation of their coun- try crafts. However, the increase In fishing p r e s s u r e led to lesser catch r a t e s to all types of fishing u n i t s . In spite of the declining catch r a t e s t h e fishing u n i t s could c o n t i n u e the operation at a s u s t a i n a b l e level only due to s u b - s t a n t i a l increase in the price of almost all the varieties of fish over t h e years.

However conflicts among different segments of fishermen now-a- days have become a routine affair. Economic analysis of the marine fisheries will pro- vide vital information for framing appropriate policies for the balanced a n d s u s t a i n a b l e development of the marine fisheries in the S t a t e . In this context the p r e s e n t s t u d y is t a k e n u p In Kerala with the following specific objectives.

— To review the marine fish production trend with special e m p h a s i s on the contribution of mechanised, motorised a n d n o n - m e c h a n i s e d sec- tors.

— To examine the export trend of m a r i n e p r o d u c t s from Kerala.

— To a s s e s s t h e economics of operations of different craft-gear combina- tions.

Materials and m e t h o d s

Both primary and secondary d a t a have been collected a n d used for the p r e s e n t s t u d y . The secondary d a t a pertaining to the m a r i n e fish production over the years by different sectors have been collected from the publications of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRl) a n d the export d a t a from the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).

The costs a n d earnings d a t a of different craft-gear combinations were collected from Kollam region during 1995-96. Among 9 maritime districts of Kerala, Kollam is one of the p r e d o m i n a n t districts in fish production due to the location of Neendakara Fisheries Harbour. Hence, Kollam District is pur- posely selected for collecting the costs a n d earnings d a t a . Kollam h a s 37 km of coastline, 29 fishing villages a n d 33 fish landing c e n t r e s . The costs and earnings data were collected from 10 u n i t s in each category of craft-gear combination for 10 selected days in every month at sample centres of Kollam

c^s??!:)

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Marine Fisheries Research and Management

District. Information regarding the quantity and value of different species c a u g h t in the u n i t s , wages to l a b o u r e r s , fuel expenses, auction charges, expenses on repair a n d m a i n t e n a n c e and other operational e x p e n d i t u r e s and gross revenue received per trip were collected from the sample units for a period of one year.

Marine fish production i n Kerala

About 5000 mechanised u n i t s , 8 0 0 0 motorised u n i t s a n d 2 7 , 0 0 0 non- m e c h a n i s e d u n i t s are engaged in m a r i n e fishing activities in Kerala. The fish production h a s Increased considerably over the years from 3.8 lakh t o n n e s during 1983 to 5.3 lakhi t o n n e s during 1995, with the maximum of 6.6 lakh tonnes recorded during 1990 a n d the m i n i m u m of 3.0 lakh t o n n e s during 1987. The production from the n o n - m e c h a n i s e d sector h a s drastically re- duced from 4 9 % in 1983 to a mere 4%' in the c u r r e n t year (1995). On the other h a n d catch by the mechanised sector increased considerably from 25 to 54% and the motorised sector from 26 to 42% during the same period. Produc- tion from the n o n - m e c h a n i s e d sector w a s a b o u t 1.9 l a k h t o n n e s d u r i n g 1983 and this h a s drastically reduced to 0.2 l a k h s tonnes during 1995.

The c a t c h from the mechanised sector h a s gradually increased over the years from 0.98 lakh tonnes during 1983 to 2.2 lakh t o n n e s d u r i n g 1995

(Table 1). The maximum production of 3.2 lakh t o n n e s was recorded during 1994. In the motorised sector also the catch h a s Increased from 0.99 lakh tonnes during 1983 to 2.9 lakh tonnes during 1995 with the m a x i m u m catch of 4.0 lakh tonnes recorded in 1989. The average catch per fishing u n i t per a n n u m works out at 43 t for mechanised u n i t s , 0.7 t for n o n - m e c h a n i s e d u n i t s a n d 3 6 . 3 t for motorised u n i t s during 1995.

The species composition of the marine fish landings in Kerala for 1985, 1990 and 1995 is given in Table 2. The importance of oilsardlne in the economy of the marine fisheries sector in Kerala is explicitly known from the catch composition.

The oilsardlne and other clupeids form a b o u t one third of t h e total fish production. The oilsardlne alone c o n t r i b u t e s to more t h a n 2 5 % of t h e catch, the availability of which regulates the increase or decrease in the production trend. The other major groups contributing to the fishery are the carangids, mackerel, p e r c h e s , t u n a s , rlbbonfishes, lizardflshes, c r u s t a c e a n s (mainly

(5)

Marine flsh production and export marketing trend in Kerala - an economic analysis T a b l e 1. E s t i m a t e d m a r i n e fish l a n d i n g s ( t o n n e s ) in K e r a l a by m e c h a

nised, motorised and n o n - m e c h a n i s e d sectors (1983-1995) (Figures in brackets indicate percentage )

Year Mechanised Motorised Non-mechanised Total 1983

1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

98070 129641 120942 129785 151636 205916 213729 231572 219681 256838 308636 325282 221851

(25) (33) (37) (34) (50) (44) (33) (35) (39) (46) (54) (57) (42)

99082 133313 127469 186282 111726 2 3 0 4 0 0 400231 3 8 8 6 2 4 305196 2 7 3 8 0 5 230883 221295 290421

(26) (34) (39) (49) (37) (49) (62) (59) (54) (49) (40) (39) (54)

188128 129939 77125 66724 3 9 9 2 4 32492 33566 4 2 6 9 4 3 9 2 8 4 30099 35220 21457 19374

(49) (33) (24) (17) (13) (7) (5) (6) (7) (5) (6) (4) (4)

385280 392893 3 2 5 5 3 6 382791 3 0 3 2 8 6 4 6 8 8 0 8 6 4 7 5 2 6 6 6 2 8 9 0 564161 5 6 0 7 4 2 574739 5 6 8 0 3 4 5 3 1 6 4 6 penaeid p r a w n s ) , and cephalopods (squids and cuttlefishes). The overall in- crease in the fish production during 1985 to 1995 was mainly due to the increase in the landings of caranglds, c r u s t a c e a n s , (penaeid p r a w n s , lobster and crabs), cephalopods (squids a n d cuttlefishes), mackerel, lizardfishes a n d b a r r a c u d a s . The carangid landings had an eight-fold increase from 0.13 lakh t o n n e s d u r i n g 1985 to 1.02 lakh t during 1995. The c r u s t a c e a n landings have improved from 0.36 lakh tonnes during 1985 to 0.57 lakh t o n n e s during 1995. The production of squids a n d cuttlefishes h a d a five-fold i n c r e a s e from

c3zl^^

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Marine Fisheries Research and Management

Table 2. Catch composition of m a r i n e fish landlng{tonnes) in Kerala during 1985, "90 and '95

Name of fish 1985 1990 1995

E l a s m o b r a n c h s Eels

Catflshes Ollsardlne Other sardine Other clupelds Bombay-duck Lizardflshes

Half-beaks a n d full-beaks Flyingfishes

Perches Goatflshes Threadflns Croakers Rlbbonflshes C a r a n g l d s Sllverbellles Big-Jawed j u m p e r Pomfrets

Mackerel Seerflshes Tunnies BlUflshes B a r r a c u d a s Mullets Unlcorncod Flatfishes C r u s t a c e a n s Molluscs Others

5 9 7 2 3 5 1 7 0 7 9 2 2 5 2 4 7 3 4 2 3 7 8 - 6 3 0 0

6 6 4 - 3 0 6 4 9

1 0 0 1 5 6 8 6 2 4 25142 12839 3 4 1 7 1041 8 9 0 18101 8 4 5 9 9 8 5 0 1 5 5 8 9 8 7 1 6 - 11332 3 5 7 7 0 8 2 8 3 6 9 2 9

6 9 6 8 3 1 2 7 3 9 179276 12900 3 8 5 4 3 - 11469

6 3 1 - 6 7 3 5 6

6 9 1 9 2 10868 9 7 5 1 6 9 0 6 8 6 1 9 5 2 3 4 0 2 5 9 8 7 8 3 3 5 5372 3 2 6 1 5 2 4 5 3 8 4 2 3 9 12 15427 67340 2 4 2 0 6 7 8 0 3

4 1 0 9 2 4 4 3 0 8 13328 4 6 1 3 1 5 2 2 6 0 - 12581 3 5 7 4 4 4 7 6 2 1 1 7 4 14 9 9 7 9 4 6 4 1 102762 4 0 0 5 5 6 1 1675 7 8 5 1 5 5 9 1 0 10977 1 1 1 4 6 7 7 7 0 1 - 12385 5 7 1 0 6 4 3 9 4 2 13352

Total 325536 662890 531646

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Marine fish production and-export marketing trend in Kerala - an economic analysis 0.08 lakh t o n n e s during 1985 to 0.44 lakh t o n n e s during 1995. The mackerel landing h a s recorded a four-fold increase from 0.18 lakh t o n n e s d u r i n g 1985 to 0.79 lakh t o n n e s during 1995. The lizardfish landings have a two fold-increase from 0.06 lakh t o n n e s during 1985 to 0.13 l a k h t o n n e s d u r i n g 1995. The peak a n n u a l landings of 6.6 l a k h t o n n e s in 1990 was mainly due to the b u m p e r catch of oil-sardine which constituted a b o u t 2 7 . 0 % of the a n n u a l production. The increase in the production of other species like the c r u s t a c e a n s , cephalopods, mackerel, carangids, perches a n d lizardfishes also c o n t r i b u t e d substantially to the peak a n n u a l landings in Kerala d u r i n g 1990. This overall improvement in the production of both pelagic a n d demersal varieties may b e d u e to t h e wide s p r e a d motorisation of t h e c o u n t r y crafts d u r i n g t h a t period.

Another interesting feature noticed recently is the complete disappear- ance of the oilsardlne and the catfish from the fishery. The percentage of oilsardlne in the total catch h a d declined from 27.0 d u r i n g 1990 to 2.5 dur- ing 1995. The catfish landings of 5 1 7 0 t d u r i n g 1985 h a s come down to a meagre 3 0 8 t d u r i n g 1995 a n d the decline in the production of certain species like ribbonfish, seerfish and threadfins over the y e a r s is significant. The landings of ribbonfish h a s reduced from 0.25 l a k h t o n n e s d u r i n g 1985 to 0.05 l a k h t o n n e s during 1995. The seerfish landing h a d decreased from 0.09 lakh t o n n e s during 1985 to 0.06 lakh t o n n e s during 1995. The threadfins have reduced from 156 t during 1985 to 14 t d u r i n g 1995. The indiscrimi- n a t e fishing d u r i n g t h e spawning s e a s o n is a t t r i b u t e d to the reduction in the r e c r u i t m e n t of m o s t of the above said varieties.

Export trend

More t h a n 20% of the marine p r o d u c t s exported from India are contrib- uted by Kerala. Though Kochi c o n t i n u e s to be the largest seafood exporting port in India, T h i r u v a n a n t h a p u r a m is also emerging as one of t h e major out- lets for the export of live and chilled seafoods from the country. S h r i m p is the major seafood exported from Kerala (45-50%) followed by the cephalopods (Squids a n d cuttlefishes 38-40%), fresh a n d frozen fish (10%) a n d items like lobster-tail, frozen clams, dried fish, freeze dried s h r i m p s a n d others a s shown in Table 3 .

Though there was a fall in the States quota of marine p r o d u c t exports, from 3 4 . 1 9 % of 1991-92 to 2 3 . 4 9 % d u r i n g 1992-93 in all India level, t h e

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Marine Fisheries Research and Management

total quantity exported from the State h a s Improved from 58743 t during 1991- 92 to 7 4 6 2 5 t during 1994-95. This would have Increased further If the a q u a c u l t u r e sector would not have been adversely affected by the recent out- b r e a k of the viral disease t h r o u g h o u t the country.

The export of frozen cuttlefish fillets h a s improved from 5 2 8 7 t during 1991-92 to 12203 t during 1994-95. The q u a n t i t y of frozen s q u i d s h a s also improved from 11144 t d u r i n g 1991-92 to 15988 t during 1994-95. The quan- tity of fresh/frozen fish h a s gone up from 2656 t during 1991-92 to 7221 t during 1994-95. The export of other items which Includes live materials like mud crabs, o r n a m e n t a l and other fishes h a s improved from 1201 t during

1991-92 to 3 9 2 3 t during 1994-95.

The export earnings from Kerala have also increased considerably from Rs. 4 4 4 . 4 7 crores d u r i n g 1991-92 to Rs. 8 1 6 . 6 4 crores during 1994-95. The e a r n i n g s from frozen s h r i m p s have increased from Rs. 3 3 9 . 2 6 crores during 1991-92 to Rs. 4 9 9 . 4 4 crore d u r i n g 1994-95. The earnings from cephalopods (squids & cuttlefishes) have Increased from Rs. 78.29 crores during 1991-92 to Rs. 2 3 0 . 1 3 crores d u r i n g 1994-95. The Income from finflshes h a s im- proved from Rs. 9.48 crores during 1991-92 to Rs. 26.79 crores d u r i n g 1994- 95. The income from freeze dried s h r i m p h a s gone u p from Rs. 2 . 8 5 crores to Rs. 19.07 crores d u r i n g the above period. The earnings from other items have also improved from Rs. 4,24 crores to Rs. 33.66 crores during 1994-95.

The export trend clearly Indicates a decline In the exports of frozen shrimp for the last few years. The Increase in earnings from the export of frozen prawns Is mainly d u e to the devaluation of Indian currency a n d c o n s e q u e n t high conversion r a t e s . In s h r i m p exports, more e m p h a s i s sjiould be given for product development and sending more value added products in our own brand n a m e s to Increase our export earnings. However, there was s u b s t a n t i a l im- provement In product diversification a n d the exports of almost all items like squids a n d cuttlefishes, clam and live fishes.

Economic performence of fishing u n i t s

For the p u r p o s e of economic evaluation of different types of marine fish- ing m e t h o d s , the marine fishing sector h a s been classified into three distinct groups.

1. Mechanised sector using Inbuilt engine of 50-120 HP.

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Marine fish production and export marketing trend In Kerala - an economic analysis T a b l e 3 . E x p o r t t r e n d of m a r i n e p r o d u c t s from K e r a l a ( 1 9 9 1 - 9 2 to

1994-95) Major items

1. Frozen s h r i m p

2. Frozen lobster tall

3. Fr.cuttle fish fillets

4. Fr. squid

5. F r e s h / f r o z e n fish

6. Dried items

7. Frozen clam

8. Freeze dried s h r i m p 9. Other items

Total

All India

All India%

1991-92 Q.

V.

Q- V.

Q . V.

9-

V.

Q . V.

Q.

V.

9-

V.

9

V

9.

V.

9-

V.

9-

V.

9-

V.

36761 3 3 9 . 2 6 2 0 9

5.77 5 2 8 7

2 8 . 0 9 11144

50.20 2 6 5 6

9.48 6 9

0.28 1374

4.30 4 2

2.85 1201

4.24 5 8 7 4 3

4 4 4 . 4 9 171820

1375.89 34.19 32.30

1992-93 2 4 1 5 5

2 6 3 . 7 0 1 1 5

3.25 7631

53.82 11422

62.49 4 2 0 3

16.80 4 9

0.17 7 3 6

2 . 3 5 7 4

6.10 7 0 9

5.57 4 9 0 9 4

4 1 4 . 2 5 2 0 9 0 2 5

1768.56 2 3 . 4 9 2 3 . 4 2

1993-95 3 1 6 0 8

4 0 5 . 7 2 5 5

1.66 7 7 8 0

66.16 17612

101.87 4 2 7 0

17.43 2 0.03 7 2 6

1.98 8 5

8.90 1710

18.46 6 3 8 4 8

6 2 2 . 1 2 2 4 3 9 6 0

2 5 0 3 . 6 2 2 6 . 1 7 2 4 . 8 5

1 9 9 4 - 9 5 3 3 7 4 2

4 9 9 . 4 4 1 3 0

1.94 12203

115.49 15988

114.64 7 2 2 1

2 6 . 7 9 8 9

0.93 1136

4.68 1 9 3

19.07 3 9 2 3

3 3 . 6 6 7 4 6 2 5

8 1 6 . 6 4 3 0 7 3 3 7

3 5 7 5 . 2 7 2 4 . 2 8 2 2 . 8 4 Q: 9 u a n t l t y in tonnes V: Value In Crores(Rs)

Source: Marine Products Export Development Authority,Kochi.

"883"

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Marine Flgheries Regearch and Management

2. Motorised sector using traditional craft with outboard engines of less t h a n 50 HP.

3. Non-motorised a r t i s a n a l sector using country crafts with iraditional gears.

Mechanised s e c t o r

Data on the catch particulars a n d revenue details for the mechanised trawler was collected from the Neendakara Fisheries Harbour from April 1995 to March 1996.

The quarterly average catch and revenue of a trawler operating from Neendakara Fisheries Harbour is given in Table 4. All the u n i t s operating from h e r e are single day fishing u n i t s and the average a n n u a l fishing days is a b o u t 2 2 5 . The fishing days are minimum in J u l y - September d u e to the b a n on mechanised fishing during the monsoon period. The quarterly catch ranges from 12276 kg during April - J u n e to 14490 kg during October - December period. The gross earnings range from Rs. 1.89 l a k h s during April - J u n e to Rs. 2.37 l a k h s during J u l y - September. About 18% of the c a t c h e s in trawlers are the p r a w n s and the remaining 82% are the finfishes a n d the revenue real- ised from p r a w n s and finfishes is 46% and 54% respectively.

T a b l e 4 . A v e r a g e c a t c h (kg) a n d r e v e n u e (Rs) of t r a w l e r s ( 3 2 ' - 3 6 ' operating a t Neendakara Fisheries Harbour (1995-96)

Average fishing trips

Total catch Total revenue Catch per trip Revenue per trip

April- J u n e

62 12276 189224 198 3 0 5 2

J u l y - September

4 0 13440 2 3 7 3 5 0 336 5933

t « H 4 ^

October December

6 3 14490 2 1 5 1 7 6 230 3 4 1 5

J a n u a r y March

60 12720 165360 212 2 7 5 6

Annual

2 2 5 52926 807110 235 3587

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Bfarine flsh production and export marketing trend in Kerala - an economic analysis The average operational costs of a trawler operating from Neendakara Fisheries H a r b o u r Is given In Table 5. The average a n n u a l operational cost comes to a b o u t Rs. 5,83,200 a s against gross earnings of Rs. 8,07,110. Fuel e x p e n d i t u r e a n d wages for fishing l a b o u r e r s a r e the major Items constituting a b o u t 8 5 % of the variable costs. The average catch per trip of trawlers works out a t 2 3 5 kg comprising 42 kg of p r a w n s a n d 193 kg of fishes. The average gross earnings per trip works out a t Rs. 3587. The net operating income per trip comes a b o u t Rs. 9 9 5 and the average a n n u a l Income comes a b o u t Rs.

2.24 l a k h s .

Motorlsed S e c t o r

Glllnets & Hooks a n d lines

Motorlsed fishing u n i t s have been operating for the last two decades in Kerala. Most of the canoes and plank-built b o a t s are fitted with outboard motors. The costs and earnings of motorlsed gill net units a n d hooks and lines units operating in the selected centres of Kollam region is p r e s e n t e d in Table 6. The average a n n u a l fishing trips of motorlsed u n i t s comes a b o u t 214 for glllnets and 190 for Hooks and lines. The quarterly fishing trips for the glllnet u n i t s ranges from 30 (July - September) to 67 (January-March) a s against 3 5 (July - September) to 65 ( J a n u a r y - March) for Hooks a n d lines u n i t s . The total catch of; a motorlsed glllnet unit: works out at 1020 kg and 3782 kg d u r i n g J u l y - September a n d October - December respectively. The catch per u n i t per trip is found to range from 3 3 to 6 3 kg due to s e a s o n a l variations. With t h e a n n u a l gross earnings of Rs. 148884, the gross revenue realised per q u a r t e r ranges from Rs, 18360 d u r i n g J u l y - September to Rs.

5 1 9 7 5 during April - J u n e . The average revenue per trip comes a b o u t Rs. 696 ranging from Rs. 4 9 5 during J a n u a r y - M a r c h to Rs. 945 during April to J u n e . The average a n n u a l catch of motorlsed hooks a n d lines u n i t s works out a t 390 kg ranging from 875 kg to 2 2 7 5 between J u l y - September a n d J a n u a r y - March periods. The average catch per trip comes a b o u t 28 kg with the gross earnings of Rs. 9 1 1 . During J a n u a r y to March, the hooks and lines units are getting the maximum earnings due to the higher catch rates a s well as the In- crease In the n u m b e r of fishing trips. The gross revenue realised per a n n u m works o u t to Rs. 1.73 l a k h s .

The average a n n u a l variable costs and earnings of motorlsed fishing u n i t s 8 8 5 '

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Marine Fisheries Research and Management Table

Item

5. Average operational costs a n d at Neendakara (1995-96)

Annual

e a r n i n g s (Rs) of trawrler

Per trip

(32' -36)

I. Operational costs

Bata to Crew 2 2 5 0 0 Wages 135000 Fuel expenses 3 6 2 2 5 0

Repair a n d m a i n t e n a n c e 2 8 1 2 5 Auction commission 16200 Miscellaneous 19125

Total 5 8 3 2 0 0

II. Catch 5 2 9 2 6 III. Revenue 8 0 7 1 1 0 IV. Net operating income(lIl -I) 2 2 3 9 1 0

100 6 0 0 1610 125 72 8 5 2592

2 3 5 3 5 8 7 9 9 5

T a b l e 6. A v e r a g e c a t c h (kg) a n d r e v e n u e (Rs) of m o t o r l s e d u n i t s operating a t Kollam region (1995-96)

Items

I. Gillnets

Average fishing trips

Catch Revenue

April- J u n e

55 3 4 6 5 5 1 9 7 5

July- Sept.

3 0 1020 18360

PPR ^

Oct.- Dec.

62 3 7 8 2 4 5 3 8 4

J a n . March

67 2 2 1 1 3 3 1 6 5

Annual

214 10478 148884

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Marine flah production and export marketing trend in Kerala - an economic analysis

Calchpertrlp 6 3 34 61 3 3 49 Revenue per trip 9 4 5 612 732 4 9 5 6 9 6 II. Hooks & Lines

Average fishing trips 50

Catch 1000 Revenue 2 5 3 0 Catch per trip 20 Revenue per trip 500

Table 7. Average operational costs and earnings (Rs) of motorlsed fishing u n i t s in Kollam region (1995-96)

35 875 24500 25 700

40 1240 37200 31 930

65 2275 86450 35 1330

190 5390 173150 28 911

Item

Glllnets

A n n u a l Per trip

Hooks & Lines A n n u a l per trip I. Operational costs

Wages 5 6 7 1 0 Fuel expense 3 4 2 4 0 Repair & m a i n t e n a n c e 16050

Auction commission 3 2 1 0 Miscellaneous 9 6 3 0

265 160 75 15 45

76000 33250 11400 4180 10450

400 175 60 22 55

Total (1) 119840 560 135280 712

11. C a t c h (kg) III. R e v e n u e

IV. N e t operating i n c o m e (III-I)

10478 148884 29044

f OQ

49 696 136

1^7 N ^ ^ ^

5390 173150 37870

28 911 199

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Marine Flgherieg Research and Management

operating gillnets a n d hooks and lines are given in Table 7. The a n n u a l operational costs of a motorised gillnet u n i t s comes about Rs. 1,19,840. Wages to l a b o u r s (47%) and fuel expenses (29%) are the major c o m p o n e n t s of the operational cost. The revenue realised per trip works out a t Rs 696 and the operational cost at Rs. 560 giving the net income of Rs. 136. The a n n u a l net operating income of a motorised gillnet u n i t comes a b o u t Rs. 2 9 , 0 0 0 . Al- t h o u g h t h e catch per unit per operation of gillnets decreased over t h e years, the increase In price of almost all varieties of fish in recent years h a s enabled them to continue with their fishing operations.

The a n n u a l variable cost of motorised u n i t s with hooks and lines works out a t Rs. 1.35 l a k h s . The operating cost per trip works out at Rs. 712 with the net operating income of Rs. 199. The a n n u a l n e t operating Income comes a b o u t Rs. 3 7 8 7 0 . The catch per u n i t per trip in Hooks and lines u n i t s is only 2 8 kg. B u t they could get higher earnings compared to gillnet u n i t s d u e to the quality fishes c a u g h t by these u n i t s .

Ring seiners

Most of the ring seine b o a t s owned by the people of KoUam District are operated from Neendakara Fisheries H a r b o u r due to t h e operational conven- iences and better marketing facilities. However, most of the u n i t s are mi- grating towards north especially to Ambalapuzha, Valanjavazhi and other land- ing centres due to seasonal changes in the fishery. Hence, there are i n s t a n c e s of complete a b s e n c e of ring seine u n i t s operating from Neendakara in some m o n t h s . The quarterly average catch and revenue of ring seine u n i t s oper- ated from Neendakara Fisheries Harbour is given in Table 8.

The a n n u a l average fishing trips of ring seine works out at 170. A mini- m u m of 30 and a maximum of 50 fishing trips are observed in different sea- s o n s . The t u n a , mackerel, s a r d i n e s , white-baits, carangids and p r a w n s are c a u g h t by t h e s e u n i t s . The a n n u a l catch of a ring seine varies from 1950 kg during April - J u n e to 7525 kg during J a n u a r y - March with the catch per trip of 65 to 175 kg. The gross earnings realised ranges from Rs 0.39 to Rs 2.25 l a k h s d u e to seasonal variation. The average revenue realised per trip is m i n i m u m during April - J u n e with Rs 1300 and maximum during J a n u a r y - March with Rs 5 2 5 0 .

(15)

Marine fish prodnctlon and export marketing trend in Kerala - an economic analysis Table 8. Average catch (kg) a n d revenue (Rs) of ring seines operating a t

N e e n d a k a r a Fisheries Harbour (1995-96)

Average fishing trips Total catch

Apr.- J u n .

30 1950

J u l . - Sep.

50 4 2 5 0

Oct.- Dec.

47 5 8 2 8

J a n . - Mar.

4 3 7 5 2 5

A n n u a l

170 19553

Total revenue Catch per trip Revenue per trip

3 9 0 0 0 106250 157356 2 2 5 7 5 0 5 2 8 3 5 6 6 5 8 5 104 175 115 1300 2125 3348 5250 3108 The average operational costs and earnings of a ring seine unit Is given

In Table 9.

Table: 9. Average o p e r a t i o n a l posts a n d e a r n i n g s (Rs) of a ring s e i n e r a t N e e n d a k a r a (1995-96)

Item Annual Per trip

I. Operational costs Bata to crew Wages

Fuel expense

Repair a n d m a i n t e n a n c e Auction Commission Miscellaneous

Total (1) II. Catch (kg) III. Revenue

IV. Net operating Income (III - 1)

26350 207060 130390 25500 20400 15300 425000 19553 528356 103356

155 1218 767 150 120 90 2500 115 3108 608

•<3l9>-

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Marine Fi«herie« Research and Management

The a n n u a l operational cost of ring seine u n i t s works out at Rs 4.25 l a k h s with the operational cost of Rs. 2500 per trip. Daily allowance to the crew and their wages constitute a b o u t 2 5 % and fuel expenses comes about 3 1 % of the operational cost.

The a n n u a l revenue realised works out at Rs. 5.28 l a k h s from the an- nual catch of 19.5 t o n n e s . The average catch per trip works out at 115 kg with the revenue of Rs. 3 1 0 0 per trip. The net operating income per trip a n d per a n n u m works out at Rs. 608 and Rs. 1.03 l a k h s respectively. The de- clining catch coupled with the lesser r e t u r n s force the ring seine u n i t s to r e d u c e the fishing trips or migrates to other c e n t r e s . The ring seine opera- tions are labour-intensive and the a n n u a l fishing trips are coming down year after year creating s u b s t a n t i a l unemployment among the fishing la- b o u r e r s .

Non-mechanised s e c t o r

Shore seines

In the earlier y e a r s shore seines locally known a s "Kampa Vala" were widely operated in this region. At p r e s e n t only 20 shore seine u n i t s are being operated in this region and Its decline in n u m b e r Is mainly d u e to the erection of seawalls coupled with the decrease In the c a t c h r a t e s . The old plank-built b o a t s locally known a s "Kettu Vallam' are used for operation of shore seines.

The average investment (present value) of a shore seine u n i t comes a b o u t Rs.

30,000 comprising Rs. 18,000 for the craft a n d Rs. 12,000 for the gear. The actual fishing operation ranges from 1 to 2 h o u r s with the Involvement of 30 - 40 p e r s o n s . About 66% of the gross income is received by the owner of the unit and the rest is shared equally among the crew m e m b e r s .

The quarterly average catch a n d revenue of a shore seine u n i t operating at selected centres of Kollam region is given in Table 10. The average fishing operation is found to range from 40 during J u l y - September and 60 during J a n u a r y - March with an a n n u a l fishing days of 199. The catch in these u n i t s are mainly constituted by white-baits, silverbellies, ollsardines, lesser sar- dines, t h r y s s a , mackerel, croakers and carangids. The average a n n u a l catch in a shoreseine works out at 22.2 t ranging from 2.5 t to 9.5 t in different s e a s o n s . With an a n n u a l catch of 112 kg per trip, it is found to vary from 54 kg to 180 kg during different s e a s o n s , the gross earnings per a n n u m works

(17)

Marine flsh production and export marketing trend In Kerala - an economic analyals out at 2.65 lakhs and the revenue per operation comes to Rs. 1295. The average variable costs and earnings of shore seines is given in Table I I . The average variable costs works out at Rs. 1.8 lakhs in which wages alone constitute about 88%. The average annual earnings of a wage earner of a shore seine unit works out at Rs. 4520 with an average wage of Rs. 23 per operating day. Shore seine operations are sustainable because It Is a part time work for many labourers. The net operating income works out at Rs.

77,000 per annum and Rs. 387 per operation. Fishermen reported that there is a study decline In resources near the inshore areas in recent years and the catch per day of operation has been drastically reduced.

Though instances of nil catch has become a common affair in many of these operations, an yeild of bumber catch once in a while sustains the shore seine fishery.

Gillnets

Due to the increasing phase of motorlsatlon, the non-mechanised ca- noes operating gillnets in the indigenous sector has declined drastically during the last decade. The resource specific gillnets like rays-net, mack- erel-net and sardine-net are mostly used by small canoes and catamarans depending upon the availability of resources in various seasons. The aver- age Initial investment of gillnet units comes about Rs. 35,000.

The quarterly average catch and revenue of a gillnet unit at selected centres of KoUam region are given in Table 10. The annual fishing days are about 201 with a minimum of 42 days to a maximum of 57 days in different seasons. The average revenue realised is Rs. 98,280 from the annual catch of 6 t with a catch of 31 kg and a revenue of Rs. 489 per trip . The catch composition include oilsardlne, mackerel and rays. The average opera- tional cost per annum and per trip are about Rs. 66,000 and Rs. 330 re- spectively in which labour alone constitutes about 79% (Table 11). The net operating income of a gillnet unit is about Rs. 31,950 per annum and Rs.

159 per trip. The indigenous gillnet units are sustaining mainly as a family enterprise.

C890

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Marine Fl»herie« Re«earch and Management

Table 10. Average c a t c h (kg) and revenue (Rs) of a r t i s a n a l fishing .units operating from Kollam region (1995-96)

April - J u l y - Oct.-

J u n e Sept. Dec

J a n . - Annual March

I. Shore seiners

Average fishing operation 46 4 0 53 6 0 199

Total catch 2 4 8 4 Revenue 4 3 7 4 0 Catch per operation 54

Revenue per operation 810 II. Gillnets

Average fishing trips Annual catch

Annual revenue Catch per trip Revenue per trip

5720 68640 143 1716

9540 76320 180 1440

4500 69003 75 1150

22244 257703 112 1295

42 420 8420 10 200

50 1250 22500 25 450

52 1300 19500 25 375

57 3192 47880 56 840

201 6162 98280 31 489 Table 11. A v e r a g e / o p e r a t i o n a l costs; a n d earnings (Rs) of a r t i s a n a l lishing

u n i t s in Kollam region (1995-96)

Item Shore seiners

Annual per operation

Gillnets A n n u a l per trip I. Operational c o s t s

Wages 158205 7 9 5 Repair & Maintenance 7 9 6 0 4 0

52260 260 8040 40

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Marine flgh production and export marketing trend in Kerala - an economic analylg

II.

III.

IV.

Auction Commission Miscellaneous

Total (1) Catch{kg) Revenue Net operating income (III-I)

5 1 7 4 9 3 5 3 180692 2 2 2 4 4 2 5 7 7 0 3

77011

2 6 4 7 9 0 8 H 2 1295

3 8 7

2 0 1 0 4 0 2 0 6 6 3 3 0 6 1 6 2 9 8 2 8 0

3 1 9 5 0

10 2 0 3 3 0 31 4 8 9

159 Conclusion

This study indicates t h a t the catch rates of almost all types of fishing u n i t s operating along Kerala Coast h a s declined drastically d u r i n g the last decade. Although t h e Intensity of operations of some of the. traditional fish- ing t e c h n i q u e s like shore seine a n d a few specific types of gillnets declined s u b s t a n t i a l l y In the inshore belt, there is a steady increase in the motorised and m e c h a n i s e d fishing u n i t s . The e n h a n c e d utilization of the i n p u t s a n d the decline in the catch r a t e s further led to the increase in the cost of production of m a r i n e fish. However, the general Increase in the price of the fish a n d fishery p r o d u c t s b o t h in the national and international m a r k e t s helped t h e survival of t h i s vital sector in Kerala. The n u m b e r of fishing u n i t s currently operating along the inshore belt of Kerala is more t h a n its real requirement.

However, they are surviving a s they are r u n n i n g a s l a b o u r intensive family enterprises. Hence, any additions in the fishing fleets should be advisable only to the deep sea sector of Kerala for the balanced a n d s u s t a i n a b l e devel- opment of m a r i n e fisheries. Product diversification and m a r k e t promotion are very essential to boost our marine p r o d u c t s exports. A c a u t i o u s m a r k e t - ing policy should be evolved for the parallel development of i n t e r n a l a s well as the export marketing s y s t e m s .

Deepsea fishing should be intensified by encouraging the fishermen to a d o p t Dory-type of fishing in which a series of indigenous b o a t s are involved in fishing and t r a n s p o r t a t i o n of catch, material and men, which will increase the m a r i n e fish p r o d u c t i o n and e n h a n c e d availability of fish. A w a r e n e s s compalgns should b e conducted In our fishing villages on the importance of

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Marine Flaheries Regearch and Management

m e s h size regulation to avoid juvenile fishing for the overall benefit of the marine fisheries in the long r u n . The traditional fishermen operating in the i n s h o r e regions are c a u g h t in the low income t r a p due to the diminishing r e t u r n s from c a p t u r e fisheries. Open sea m a r i c u l t u r e offers good scope for a u g m e n t i n g production and remunerative employment to our coastal fisher- men. Integration of small-scale m a r i c u l t u r e with small-scale c a p t u r e fisher- ies Is a viable alternative to s u p p l e m e n t their income.

A c k n o w l e d g e m e n t

The a u t h o r s are thankful to Dr. M. Devaraj, Director, Central Marine Fish- eries Research Institute, Cochin-14 for his c o n s t a n t encouragement and guid- ance for conducting this study and the p r e p a r a t i o n of this paper.

References

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