The first comprehensive marine fish stock assessment for India has revealed a surprisingly positive outlook, with 91.1% of the evaluated fish stocks found to be healthy. The evaluation, conducted by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), assessed 135 fish stocks in 2022. Experts believe that the two-year break in fishing activity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may have played a significant role in the improved health of the stocks.
Of the evaluated stocks, 86.7% were deemed sustainable, meaning they had a sufficient population to support maximum sustainable yields. This category included certain varieties of dolphinfish, eels, lizardfish, snappers, and pomfret. However, the CMFRI warns that this does not mean these stocks can be excessively fished without consequences. The figure of 91% is based on the biological status at the moment, and fishing pressures can easily change the situation in subsequent years.
The assessment also highlighted regional disparities in stock health. The southeast coast of India had the highest percentage of healthy stocks, with 97.4% found to be in good condition in 2022. The southwest coast followed closely with 92.7%, while the northeast and northwest coasts recorded percentages of 87.5% and 83.8% respectively.
Overall, the evaluation identified that 8.2% of the stocks were overfished, including certain varieties of croakers, catfish, groupers, sharks, and lobsters. An additional 4.4% were showing signs of being overfished. Overfished stocks refer to populations with biomass or size too small to withstand high fishing pressure, leading to unsustainable yields. However, none of the assessed stocks had collapsed, which occurs when a population falls to such a low level that recovery is unlikely within a specific time frame.
One interesting finding was that the squid stock in the northwest coast was observed to be rebuilding after a collapse. Scientists explain that squids are short-lived creatures with population levels that can rise and drop sharply in natural cycles. In contrast, large slow-growing fish like sharks are cause for concern in terms of their population decline.
The COVID-19 pandemic appears to have played a role in improving the health of fish stocks. While there is limited data from those years, a comparison of pre- and post-pandemic figures suggests that the break in fishing activity may have contributed to the positive outcome. Reduced fishing in the years leading up to the pandemic, such as in 2019 due to cyclone activity, also helped certain stocks, like pomfret, reach the healthy category in 2022.
Although this assessment is the first of its kind in India, annual stock assessments are commonplace in regions with industrialized fishing, like Europe and the USA. The CMFRI report, while not a certification of sustainability, could help exporters demonstrate the sustainability of their products. For stocks identified as overfished, the report recommends measures such as implementing minimum legal sizes and changing net mesh sizes to reduce the capture of juveniles and bycatch. Additionally, incentives for fishermen to release certain species, such as sharks and lobsters, back into the sea could be implemented.
As subsequent reports aim to evaluate more fish species, including valuable ones like hilsa, the findings serve as a positive foundation for sustainable fisheries management in India. It is essential to strike a balance between meeting the increasing demand for fish while preserving the health and abundance of marine ecosystems. By implementing effective measures, India can continue to maintain its fish stocks and promote sustainable fishing practices.
