Tuna live-bait fishes - their exploitation, conservation and management in Lakshadweep

The total annual catch of baitfishes form pole and line fishing areas of Lakshadweep is estimated to be 1251. At Minicoy, the average annual catch is estimated at 9.11 and at Agatti it is estimated to be 51 t. Data from other baitfish fishing areas such as Suheli, Valiapani and Cheriyapani are virtually non-existent. Management options suggested earlier include the collection of fishery data from more areas, studying the biology and understanding the stock of exploited species, culture of suitable species and maintaining the health of the coral reefs of the islands. Future thrust areas for research to elucidate the factors that determine the baitfish fishery include a full review of the existing fishery and development of a baitfish statistics collection system