Extensive fishing may cause fish famine, say experts

Mangalore Today News Network

Nov 26, 2016: Speaking at a programme held to mark World Fisheries Day organised by the Fisheries College here on Nov 25, Friday, Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University Director (Extension) Dr S M Shivaprakash warned that uncontrolled fishing and over-exploitation of the seas will result in fish famine in the future. Dr S M Shivaprakash said that there was a need for changing the fishing pattern that results in destruction of fish progeny. Scientific and controlled fishing will help in conserving marine resources for the future generation. "If the over-exploitation of the marine population is uncontrolled, then fish resources will be completely destroyed by 2040," he said, citing a research paper by a team of scientists from Canada.  The fishermen, institutions related to fishing, fish-related industries and fisheries colleges should have self-imposed norms to check over-exploitation of marine resources, he added.

Modern technology used by the fishermen has become a hurdle in conserving fish resources. Over-exploitation of fish progeny in the deep sea, use of nets that can catch even the fingerlings and fishing during the breeding season have resulted in a fish famine. There is a need to create awareness on the same among fishermen. He said there are 34,000 species of fish in the world, of which 2,000 species are in India. There are 500 species of fish in the deep seas of India, of which there is demand for 50 species of fish in the market. 

Karnataka Coastal Fishermen Working Committee President Manohar Boloor said that there was no future for fishermen in the event of failure to conserve marine resources. Fisheries College Dean Dr M N Venugopal was present.