A deep-sea fishing expedition conducted by the Fishery Survey of India (FSI) has uncovered new, highly productive fishing areas in the Arabian Sea.

• The survey was funded under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) scheme, which aims to expand India’s fishing industry and ensure food security.
• Geographical Coverage: The expedition covered a wide area from Kollam in Kerala to Goa.
• Location of New Grounds: The new fishing grounds are about 100-120 nautical miles off India’s western coast.

Map showing Indian EEZ and positioning of FSI exploratory vessel

What is Fisheries?

• It is an economic activity that involves harvesting fish or any aquatic organism from the wild (Capture Fisheries) or raising them in confinement (Culture Fisheries/ Aquaculture).
• It may be 
  • Traditional/ Small Scale Fisheries (SSF) for sustenance
  • Large-Scale/ Commercial Fisheries for profit
• Higher concentrations of fishes are found in temperate areas than tropical regions. 
  • It is due to various factors such as
    • Wide seasonal variations
    • Availability of abundant plankton in cooler waters

Findings and Productivity

• Catch Rate: The newly discovered areas showed an average catch per unit effort (CPUE) of 150-300 kg/hr.
• Species Diversity: There was no significant difference in catch quantity or species diversity between day and night fishing.
• Rich Marine Life: The areas are rich in:
  • Crustaceans: Humpback nylon shrimp, Arabian red shrimp, Deep sea mud shrimp, Deepwater spiny lobster, and Deep sea squat lobster.
  • Cephalopods: Opisthoteuthissp and Octopoteuthissicula.
  • Fish Species: Froghead eel, Rosy cod, Sackfish, Snake mackerel, Royal escolar, Myctiophids, Bandfishes, Duckbill flathead, Splendid alfonsino, Shadow driftfish, 
  • Elasmobranchs: Sicklefin chimaera, Pygmy ribbontailcatshark, Bramble shark, Indian swellshark, and Travancore skate.

Significance and Impact

• Advancing Marine Research: This discovery showcases FSI’s dedication to exploring untapped deep-sea fishery resources, contributing to the scientific understanding of marine ecosystems.
• Economic and Social Impact: The findings support India’s goal of doubling fishermen’s income, aligning with the vision of the Honourable Prime Minister.
• Alternative to Coastal Fisheries: The new deep-sea resources offer a sustainable alternative to coastal fisheries, which face challenges from overfishing, habitat degradation, and climate change.