An appraisal of the ribbonfish fishery in India with special reference to mechanised fishing

Ribbonfishes comprising mainly of Trichhrus lepfurus contributed 4% of the total marine f ~ h prduction in India during the period 1976-85. Seasonal atch trend along the different maritime States and the role played by the mechanisad boats in augmenting prduction have been descrikl. Based on the findine of the exploratory fishing vessels of the Fishery Survey of India e%pecially along Ule west coast potential m u - of ribbonfish in different areas have been identified in various depth zones. It has been sugeesled to tap the resource by the machanised sector beyond the coastal waters as the fishery is underexploited at present