AQUACULTURE IN INDIA Aquaculture refers to production of aquatic animals and plants such as fish, shrimp, molluscs and sea weeds in water. It can be classified under two major heads-freshwater and coastal. The latter can again be subdivided into two categories, namely, sea farming and brackish water aquaculture. Sea farming refers to culture of organisms in cages, pens, rafts and longlines in the open coastal waters and bays, whereas brackish water aquaculture relates to land-based farming systems using salt water from the estuaries and creeks as also from the sea in coastal areas. Coastal aquaculture uses many common species of fish, shrimps and molluscs.
DEVELOPMENT OF INLAND FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE The ongoing scheme of Development of Freshwater Aquaculture and Integrated Coastal Aquaculture have been combined with four new programmes on development of coldwater fish culture, development of water-logged area and derelict water bodies into aquaculture estates, use of inland saline/alkaline soil for aquaculture and programme for augmenting the productivity of reservoirs. This scheme broadly has two componentsAquaculture and Inland Capture Fisheries. The government has been implementing an important programme in inland sector, viz., development of freshwater aquaculture through the Fish Farmers Development Agencies (FFDAs) with the objective of utilising the country's vast brackishwater area for shrimp culture. Brackishwater Fish Farmers Development Agencies (BFDAs) has been set up in the coastal areas of the country. Presently about 50 per cent of the shrimp exported from the country is from aquaculture.
Specialised Institutes The Central Institute of Fisheries, Nautical and Engineering Training, Kochi, with units at Chelmai and Visakhapatnam, aims at making available sufficient number of operators of deep-sea fishing vessels and technicians for shore establishments. Integrated Fisheries Project, Kochi, envisages processing, popularising and ~est marketing of unconventional varieties of fish. The Central Institute of Coastal Engineering for Fisheries, Bangalore, is engaged in techno-economic feasibility study for location of fishing harbour sites. Fishery Survey of India (FSI) is the nodal organisation responsible for survey and assessment of fishery resources under the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Industrial aquaculture, however, has ecological dimensions, for maintenance of water quality and disposal of waste water are critical for this sector. The prawn culture taken up jointly between industry and the state in Chilka Lake came under fire on this issue. It is felt by environmentalists that large quantities of waste discharged into the lake is going to damage the ecology of this important wetland.
New Areas India is a newcomer to the field of shrimp farming but has progressed well: it is fifth among the major producers.
Mud crabs (Scylla serrata) are abundant in Indian estuaries, especially in Chilka Lake, Pulicat Lake and Vembanad Lake and the crab resources are getting overexploited at present. A small quantity of mud cr~ is
exported in live form to Singapore from Chennai. No commercial culture has been taken up so far despite heavy demand and high price.
Oyster is eaten in raw, smoked and canned forms. it is a delicacy in many countries. India is endowed with rich natural resources of edible oysters in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat coasts. Pearl oysters are abundant in Gulf of Mannar and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Pearl production is already going on at Mandapam in southern Tamil Nadu in small a scale. If pearl oyster farming is developed in India, we will be able to meet our own domestic demand and also export to Japan and other countries.
Seaweed contributes nearly 30 per cent to world aquaculture production. About one-third of seaweed resources of the Indian Ocean is along the Indian coast. However, India has not done anything to exploit this resource.
India's potential for export of ornamental fishes and plants is unlimited but our export has so far been negligible. A survey has been conducted in Lakshadweep and Andaman islands and North-East hill states. About 100 varieties of marine ornamental fishes in Lakshadweep, 90 varieties in Andaman and 53 species in north-east hill states have been identified. The North-East hill states are found to hold very rich resources for freshwater aquarium, fishes and pla11ts.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Blue Revolution
Blue Revolution The term 'blue revolution' is used to describe the adoption of a package of methods by which fish production has been increased substantially in India since independence. The term was coined after the success of the Green Revolution which signified enormous increase in grain output.
After independence, the fisheries industry, particularly the marine sector, has witnessed a massive transformation from the traditional and subsistence type enterprise to a market-driven multi-crore industry equipped with essential infrastructures. During the past five decades the marine fisheries production has increased manifold through successive stages, mainly due to the adoption of synthetic fibres in lieu of natural fibres in gear fabrication, introduction of mechanical trawlers in the 1950s, adoption of techniques like mass harvesting gear, the purse seine in the fishing grounds of south-west coastal region in the 1980s, mechanisation of country-made crafts and the subsequent app1ication of innovative gears on a wide scale.
There has been a substantial increase in the total fish production in India.
The fisheries sector has been one of the major contributors of foreign exchange earnings through export. Export of fish and fishery products has grown manifold over the years.
After independence, the fisheries industry, particularly the marine sector, has witnessed a massive transformation from the traditional and subsistence type enterprise to a market-driven multi-crore industry equipped with essential infrastructures. During the past five decades the marine fisheries production has increased manifold through successive stages, mainly due to the adoption of synthetic fibres in lieu of natural fibres in gear fabrication, introduction of mechanical trawlers in the 1950s, adoption of techniques like mass harvesting gear, the purse seine in the fishing grounds of south-west coastal region in the 1980s, mechanisation of country-made crafts and the subsequent app1ication of innovative gears on a wide scale.
There has been a substantial increase in the total fish production in India.
The fisheries sector has been one of the major contributors of foreign exchange earnings through export. Export of fish and fishery products has grown manifold over the years.
Distribution and Production
Distribution and Production Though almost every state and union territory in India has some fish production, nearly 97 per cent of the country's total production of marine fish and 77 per cent of inland water fish is raised in Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Gujarat. Only a small production is accounted for by the land-locked states.
Kerala Kerala is the foremost fish producing state in India, contributing about one-fifth of the country's total fish production. Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kozhikode, Beypore, Azhikode, Ponnani, Kannur, Baliapatnam and Vizhinjam are leading centres of fish production. Besides these, there are over 250 villages studded along the 590-km-long coastline. Oil sardines, prawns, horse mackerel, soles, lactarius and shark are the most important marine fisheries. The inland fisheries abound in prawns, barbus, darius, mullet, etroplus and murrels.
About 60 per cent of the total fish production is consume, within the state.
Karnataka produces about 9 per cent of India's tota production of fish. Mangalore, Karwar, Ankola, Kumta Honawar, Bhatkal, Majali, Bingi are the leading centres oj production. Sardines, mackerel, seer, sharks and prawns arE among the principal fish varieties caught. Inland fishing is most intensive in the creeks of Netravati, Sharavati and Kali rivers.
Maharashtra contributes about 12 per cent to the annual total output of fish. Mumbai, Ratnagiri, Alibag. Kolaba and Bassein are leading centres of .production. Indian salmon, Bombay duck, white pomfret, black pomfret. jew fish, tunnies, grey mullet, mackerel, eel and shark are the chief varieties of fish of off-coast Maharashtra. Estuarine fisheries have been developed in Mahim and other creeks.
Gujarat with over 45 important fishing ports and a large number of fishing villages studded along the coast, contributes about 9 per cent of India's total fish production. Kandla, Porbandar, Dwarka, Jafferabad and Umbergaon are the leading centres of fish production in the state. Bombay duck, pomfret, jew fish, Indian salmon, tunnies, grey mullet, mackerel, eel and shark are among the principal varieties of fish caught.
Andhra Pradesh is the largest marine fish producing state along the east coast, contributing about ten per cent to the total annual output of fish. Visakhapatnam, Masulipatnam and Kakinada are the largest centres of fish production. Oil sardine, mackerel, silver bellies, ribbon fish, catfish are among the important fish vat:ieties caught.
Most of the production in West Bengal and Orissa is of the inland fish. The contribution of these two states to the total national production of fish is just two per cent. Pomfret, bhetti, mackerel, prawn, topsi, hilsa, chanda, bhola, Bombay duck, rock cod and phasa are among the prominent fish varieties caught. The brackish waters of the Chilka lake in Orissa and the mouth of Ganga in West Bengal represent some of the most intensely fished areas. The per capita consumption of fish in West Bengal is one of the highest in India.
Fishing is common in almost every village along the coast and around the creeks of the Zuari, Mandovi, Sal and Arachol rivers in Goa. Mackerel, pomfret, shrimp, sardine, prawn are among the principal varieties caught. Marmagao is the largest centre of fis,h production in Goa.
Tamil Nadu has a long coast line of about 1,000 km facilitating the production of fish on large scale. Tamil Na.du's contribution to the total national output of fish is about 21 per cent. Chennai is the largest centre of fish production in the state. Tuticorn, Ennore, Cuddalore, Mandapam and Nagapattinam are the other important fish production centres. Mackerel, silver bellies, ribbon fish, catfish and soles are the main varieties of marine fish caught.
The Ganga and its tributaries form major inland fisheries in Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. Besides these rivers, there are a large number of jheels, ponds and tanks in these states where fish are caught in a sizeable proportion. Carp varieties such as Labeo rohita, Labeo calbasu, Labeo gOl1ius, mrigala and catla, minor carps and minnow are the main types of fish caught. In Punjab. Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, the Satluj, Ravi and Beas and host of other small rivers and reservoirs are leading fishing grounds. The Brahmaputra river supports a rich fishery in Assam, though it is not yet fully exploited. Carps, catfish, hi/sa are the chief varieties of fish found.
Kerala Kerala is the foremost fish producing state in India, contributing about one-fifth of the country's total fish production. Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kozhikode, Beypore, Azhikode, Ponnani, Kannur, Baliapatnam and Vizhinjam are leading centres of fish production. Besides these, there are over 250 villages studded along the 590-km-long coastline. Oil sardines, prawns, horse mackerel, soles, lactarius and shark are the most important marine fisheries. The inland fisheries abound in prawns, barbus, darius, mullet, etroplus and murrels.
About 60 per cent of the total fish production is consume, within the state.
Karnataka produces about 9 per cent of India's tota production of fish. Mangalore, Karwar, Ankola, Kumta Honawar, Bhatkal, Majali, Bingi are the leading centres oj production. Sardines, mackerel, seer, sharks and prawns arE among the principal fish varieties caught. Inland fishing is most intensive in the creeks of Netravati, Sharavati and Kali rivers.
Maharashtra contributes about 12 per cent to the annual total output of fish. Mumbai, Ratnagiri, Alibag. Kolaba and Bassein are leading centres of .production. Indian salmon, Bombay duck, white pomfret, black pomfret. jew fish, tunnies, grey mullet, mackerel, eel and shark are the chief varieties of fish of off-coast Maharashtra. Estuarine fisheries have been developed in Mahim and other creeks.
Gujarat with over 45 important fishing ports and a large number of fishing villages studded along the coast, contributes about 9 per cent of India's total fish production. Kandla, Porbandar, Dwarka, Jafferabad and Umbergaon are the leading centres of fish production in the state. Bombay duck, pomfret, jew fish, Indian salmon, tunnies, grey mullet, mackerel, eel and shark are among the principal varieties of fish caught.
Andhra Pradesh is the largest marine fish producing state along the east coast, contributing about ten per cent to the total annual output of fish. Visakhapatnam, Masulipatnam and Kakinada are the largest centres of fish production. Oil sardine, mackerel, silver bellies, ribbon fish, catfish are among the important fish vat:ieties caught.
Most of the production in West Bengal and Orissa is of the inland fish. The contribution of these two states to the total national production of fish is just two per cent. Pomfret, bhetti, mackerel, prawn, topsi, hilsa, chanda, bhola, Bombay duck, rock cod and phasa are among the prominent fish varieties caught. The brackish waters of the Chilka lake in Orissa and the mouth of Ganga in West Bengal represent some of the most intensely fished areas. The per capita consumption of fish in West Bengal is one of the highest in India.
Fishing is common in almost every village along the coast and around the creeks of the Zuari, Mandovi, Sal and Arachol rivers in Goa. Mackerel, pomfret, shrimp, sardine, prawn are among the principal varieties caught. Marmagao is the largest centre of fis,h production in Goa.
Tamil Nadu has a long coast line of about 1,000 km facilitating the production of fish on large scale. Tamil Na.du's contribution to the total national output of fish is about 21 per cent. Chennai is the largest centre of fish production in the state. Tuticorn, Ennore, Cuddalore, Mandapam and Nagapattinam are the other important fish production centres. Mackerel, silver bellies, ribbon fish, catfish and soles are the main varieties of marine fish caught.
The Ganga and its tributaries form major inland fisheries in Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. Besides these rivers, there are a large number of jheels, ponds and tanks in these states where fish are caught in a sizeable proportion. Carp varieties such as Labeo rohita, Labeo calbasu, Labeo gOl1ius, mrigala and catla, minor carps and minnow are the main types of fish caught. In Punjab. Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, the Satluj, Ravi and Beas and host of other small rivers and reservoirs are leading fishing grounds. The Brahmaputra river supports a rich fishery in Assam, though it is not yet fully exploited. Carps, catfish, hi/sa are the chief varieties of fish found.
Types of Fisheries
Types More than 1,800 distinct species of fish are known to exist in India. However, very few varieties are caught in appreciable quantities. The major forms of fisheries in India are as follows.
(i) Marine Fisheries Accounting for about 63 per cent of the total annual production of fish and being confined to coastal waters in the west from Kutch, Malabar coast to Coromandal coast in the east, they are spread over narrow belts of continental shelf and slope running to 5,600 km with a total fishable area of about 2,81,600 sq km. They lie between the coast and 200 m limit. More than 75 per cent of the total marine fish are from west coast. Higher phsosphate and nitrate content results in greater plankton productivity. Major fishes are sardines, mackerel and prawns. On the eastern coast, the important fishes are horse mackerels, dupeoids and silver bellies Off-shore and deep sea fishing which accounts for a small production of marine fish in the country has not been developed fully so far in India. Deep sea fishing consists of fishing in off-shore and the high seas for surface, midwater and bottom forms of fish.
(ii) Freshwater or Inland Fishery Freshwater fishery is carried on in rivers, canals, irrigation channels, tanks, ponds, lakes, etc. About 37 per cent of the country's total fish production comes from inland fisheries. Freshwater fishery can be divided into two categories. Pond fisheries suitable for quick growing fishes with non-predacious feeding habit. Examples are catla, rohita, kalabasil, mringal, mullets, carp, etc. The other is riverine fisheries. About onethird of the total fish production in India comes from rivers. Such fishing is very active during winter season when floods usually subside. During rainy season fishing is poor. River fish: catla, mringal, hilsa, etc. West Bengal, Bihar and Assam are important states.
(iii) Estuarine Fisheries This is confined to estuaries, backwaters, tidal estuaries, lagoons, inundated areas and swamps along the entire coast, that is, important estuarine areas of the Ganga, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Narmada and Tapi, the brackish water lakes of Chilka and Pulicat, and the backwaters of Kerala. Prawn is an important variety.
(iv) The Pearl Fisheries Areas are usually on the ridges or rocks or dead corals forming extensive pearl banks at a depth of 18-22 m. The distance from the shore is about 20 km. Pearls of high value area obtained from pearloysters. Principal centres are the Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of Kutch and Palk Bay and around Andaman and Nicobar Islands. They are a state monopoly.
(i) Marine Fisheries Accounting for about 63 per cent of the total annual production of fish and being confined to coastal waters in the west from Kutch, Malabar coast to Coromandal coast in the east, they are spread over narrow belts of continental shelf and slope running to 5,600 km with a total fishable area of about 2,81,600 sq km. They lie between the coast and 200 m limit. More than 75 per cent of the total marine fish are from west coast. Higher phsosphate and nitrate content results in greater plankton productivity. Major fishes are sardines, mackerel and prawns. On the eastern coast, the important fishes are horse mackerels, dupeoids and silver bellies Off-shore and deep sea fishing which accounts for a small production of marine fish in the country has not been developed fully so far in India. Deep sea fishing consists of fishing in off-shore and the high seas for surface, midwater and bottom forms of fish.
(ii) Freshwater or Inland Fishery Freshwater fishery is carried on in rivers, canals, irrigation channels, tanks, ponds, lakes, etc. About 37 per cent of the country's total fish production comes from inland fisheries. Freshwater fishery can be divided into two categories. Pond fisheries suitable for quick growing fishes with non-predacious feeding habit. Examples are catla, rohita, kalabasil, mringal, mullets, carp, etc. The other is riverine fisheries. About onethird of the total fish production in India comes from rivers. Such fishing is very active during winter season when floods usually subside. During rainy season fishing is poor. River fish: catla, mringal, hilsa, etc. West Bengal, Bihar and Assam are important states.
(iii) Estuarine Fisheries This is confined to estuaries, backwaters, tidal estuaries, lagoons, inundated areas and swamps along the entire coast, that is, important estuarine areas of the Ganga, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Narmada and Tapi, the brackish water lakes of Chilka and Pulicat, and the backwaters of Kerala. Prawn is an important variety.
(iv) The Pearl Fisheries Areas are usually on the ridges or rocks or dead corals forming extensive pearl banks at a depth of 18-22 m. The distance from the shore is about 20 km. Pearls of high value area obtained from pearloysters. Principal centres are the Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of Kutch and Palk Bay and around Andaman and Nicobar Islands. They are a state monopoly.
OTHER MARINE PRODUCTS
OTHER MARINE PRODUCTS Sponges are to be found in warm tropical waters and amidst coral reefs. The fibrous skeletons of the marine animals that live at the bottom of shallow seas between 12 and 55 metres is used for various purposes. The jelly-like body is removed from the gathered sponges which are then thoroughly dried. The bulk of the world's natural sponges come from Key West, off Florida in the USA, and from the West Indian islands. Sponges are also collected on the coasts of the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas, the Red Sea and in the South Pacific islands. In some places around the Gulf of Mexico, sponges are farmed by tying- seed sponges to weights and lowering . them to the shallow seabeds. When they become large enough, they are hooked up and sold.
Seaweeds of many species are used as food. They are of immense use in industry for making gelatine, glue paints, iodine and cosmetics. Seaweed is also a fertiliser. However, on.ly Japan has taken to commercial cultivation of seaweeds.
INDIAN FISHERIES Fisheries play an important role in the economy of India. India is the third largest producer of fish and second largest producer of inland fish in the world. The fisheries sector provides employment to over 11 million people engaged fully, partially or in subsidiary activities pertaining to the sector, with an equally impressive segment of the population engaged in ancillary activities. Fisheries help in augmenting food supply, generating employment, raising nutritional level and earning foreign exchange. Fish forms an important part of the diet of many people living in the coastal areas of Kerala, West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Goa and Maharashtra.
India, with a long coastline of over 7,500 km, two million sq km of Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ) and 1.2 million hectare of brackish water bodies, offers vast potential for development of fisheries. The potential yield of fisheries from available sources has been estimated at over 100 lakh tonnes a year. But the actual production of fish in India is still low as compared to the country's potential.
The consumption of fish is less in India mainly due to differences in the food habits of the people, the nonavailability of cheap fish in adequate quantities, the hot climate resulting in early deterioration of fish, etc.
Seaweeds of many species are used as food. They are of immense use in industry for making gelatine, glue paints, iodine and cosmetics. Seaweed is also a fertiliser. However, on.ly Japan has taken to commercial cultivation of seaweeds.
INDIAN FISHERIES Fisheries play an important role in the economy of India. India is the third largest producer of fish and second largest producer of inland fish in the world. The fisheries sector provides employment to over 11 million people engaged fully, partially or in subsidiary activities pertaining to the sector, with an equally impressive segment of the population engaged in ancillary activities. Fisheries help in augmenting food supply, generating employment, raising nutritional level and earning foreign exchange. Fish forms an important part of the diet of many people living in the coastal areas of Kerala, West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Goa and Maharashtra.
India, with a long coastline of over 7,500 km, two million sq km of Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ) and 1.2 million hectare of brackish water bodies, offers vast potential for development of fisheries. The potential yield of fisheries from available sources has been estimated at over 100 lakh tonnes a year. But the actual production of fish in India is still low as compared to the country's potential.
The consumption of fish is less in India mainly due to differences in the food habits of the people, the nonavailability of cheap fish in adequate quantities, the hot climate resulting in early deterioration of fish, etc.
WHALING, SEALING
WHALING The whale is the largest marine mammal. The toothed whales feed on fish, and include the Sperm Whales and Killer Whales, both now rare. The whalebone whales feed on krill (small shrimp-like animals) and plankton, and include the scarce Blue Whales (the largest animals on earth) and a number of smaller species. The Arctic and Antarctic waters are the homes of whales. The leading whaling waters nowadays is north Pacific, and the leading whaling nations are Japan and Russia. However, environmentalists are coming out strongly against killing whales, as they are becoming an endangered species.
SEALING The seal is an amphibian, and is hunted for its pelt or fur as well as for its oil. It is native to the Arctic and Antarctic shores where it preys on fish in the water. The main sealing nations are Canada, the USA, Greenland and Norway in the northern hemisphere and South Africa and Argentina in the southern hemisphere. Also of some commercial importance is the walrus whose skin, ivory and fat is used.]
PEARL FISHERY Pearls are derived mainly from oysters, though some species of mussels in both tropical and temperate seas may also contain pearls. High quality pearls come from the Persian Gulf, the tropical shores of Sri Lanka, Japan, western Australia, Queensland and northern Venezuela. Pearls are also produced in Mexico; the Gulf of California and wherever there are coral reefs. It was a Japanese, named Kokichi Mikimoto, who invented artificial or cultured pearls in 1913. Young oysters are first collected and grains of mother-of-pearl (the inner lining of oyster shells) are inserted into them. They are then placed in wire cages and lowered into shallow coastal waters. After about two to five years these oysters will be collected and the 'artificial pearls', which have form~d, will be extracted. Japanese pearl-culture industry is centred at Toba, southeastern Honshu.
SEALING The seal is an amphibian, and is hunted for its pelt or fur as well as for its oil. It is native to the Arctic and Antarctic shores where it preys on fish in the water. The main sealing nations are Canada, the USA, Greenland and Norway in the northern hemisphere and South Africa and Argentina in the southern hemisphere. Also of some commercial importance is the walrus whose skin, ivory and fat is used.]
PEARL FISHERY Pearls are derived mainly from oysters, though some species of mussels in both tropical and temperate seas may also contain pearls. High quality pearls come from the Persian Gulf, the tropical shores of Sri Lanka, Japan, western Australia, Queensland and northern Venezuela. Pearls are also produced in Mexico; the Gulf of California and wherever there are coral reefs. It was a Japanese, named Kokichi Mikimoto, who invented artificial or cultured pearls in 1913. Young oysters are first collected and grains of mother-of-pearl (the inner lining of oyster shells) are inserted into them. They are then placed in wire cages and lowered into shallow coastal waters. After about two to five years these oysters will be collected and the 'artificial pearls', which have form~d, will be extracted. Japanese pearl-culture industry is centred at Toba, southeastern Honshu.
MAJOR FISHING GROUNDS OF THE WORLD
MAJOR FISHING GROUNDS OF THE WORLD The major commercial fishing grounds are located in the cool waters of the northern hemisphere in comparatively high. latitudes. Commercial fishing is little developed in the tropics or in the southern hemisphere. The best fiShing grounds are found above continental shelves which are not more than 200 metres below the water surface, where plankton of all kinds are most abundant. The world's most extensive continental shelves are located in high or midlatitudes in' the northern hemisphere, e.g., the 'banks' off Newfoundland, the North Sea and the continental shelf off north-western Europe, and the Sea of Japan.
Plankton are in plentiful supply in polar waters, at the meeting of cold and warm ocean currents as on the Newfoundland 'banks' and the Sea of Japan, or where cold water from the ocean floor wells up to the surface as it does off the west coast of South America. The continental shelves of the tropics are relatively less rich in plankton because the water is warm.
Marine life is found to be best developed in oceans with a temperature lower than 20°C. Both the Atlantic and Pacific coastlines of the middle and high latitudes in" the northern hemisphere are very much indented and are backed by strong relief. There are sheltered inlets and estuarine coasts that make ideal sites for fishing ports and villages.
More than half of the annual fish catch comes from the cold and temperate waters of the northern hemisphere. The Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans each account for about 40 per cent of the total, the Indian Ocean 4 per cent, while freshwater fishing amounts to about 15 per cent of the total. Amongst the fishing nations, Japan leads: Russia, Chinar Norway and the USA are also important.
The North-East Atlantic Region extends from Iceland to the Mediterranean shores. Here, pelagic, demersal and inshore fishing are all done on a highly organised basis by the European countries, such as Norway, Denmark, Spain, Iceland and the UK. Fishing goes on all round the year in the shallow waters of the North Sea, the most vigorously exploited area being the Dogger Bank. The busiest fishing season is spring, and the principal fish caught are herring, cod a/1d mackerel. The region is the greatest fish-exporting region of the world. In terms of tonnage of fish landed by European countries, Norway leads and Denmark takes second place, followed by Spain, Iceland and Britain.
The North-West Atlantic Region extends from Newfoundland to the New England states of the USA. Traditionally the world's richest cod-fishing region (though catches have declined as a result of overfishing), this region borders Canada and the United States. Fishing and marine industries are an important sector of the economy of seashore provin<:es of Canada, such as Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. Fishing provides employment for the vast majority of the population in Newfoundland.
The north-west Atlantic has a large continental shelf which provides a good breeding ground for fish. Off Newfoundland, at about-latitude 45 oN to 55 oN, the cold Labrador Current and the warm Gulf Stream converge. The icebergs that come south on the Labrador Current bring minerals from the land on which plankton thrive. The cool temperate climate not only favours large-scale commercial fishing, but also the preservation and storage of fish.
Modern canning and refrigerating facilities have greatly helped the fish export trade to progress.
The North-East Pacific Region adjoining the western shores of North America from Alaska to California, form another prosperous fishing region. Many fish inhabit the seas along its highly irregular and indented coastline. Salmon is the most valuable fish caught, and is mostly exported in canned form. In the warmer waters off the California coast, tuna and sardine are important. Large quantities of crabs, shrimps and oysters are also caught for the North American market. Catches in the north-east Pacific by the USA and Canada are smaller than those by Japan and Russia.
The North-West Pacific Region extends from the Bering Sea to the East China Sea. It is the world's greatest fishing region. Japan leads in catch, followed by China, South and North Koreas, and eastern Russia. Within the enclosed seas, e.g., the Sea of Okhotsk, Sea of Japan, Yellow Sea and the East China Sea are found intensive forms of inshore as well as deep-sea fishing. There are probably more people engaged in fishing here than in any other part of the world. Commercial fishing is best developed in Japan where the industry is very highly organised and modern fishing methods are in use.
Other regions of fishing are not so important. But off Peru and Chile the upwelling cold waters of the Humboldt Current create good conditions of plankton development, even though the continental shelf is narrow. Fish, partin! larly anchovies, are found in good numbers. Peru was om the world's leading fishing nation but catches have decijned The bulk of the fish caught is not eaten but is usel!ln- th( manufacture of fertilisers. Another of Peru's traditional industries is the collection of guano from off-shore islands which is based on the same factors. The abundant fish form the food supply for the sea-birds whose guano is collected. The peninsulas and islands of South-East Asia surround a broad continental shelf, the Sunda Shelf. Here fishing is still on a small scale but considerable potential for expansion exists.
Plankton are in plentiful supply in polar waters, at the meeting of cold and warm ocean currents as on the Newfoundland 'banks' and the Sea of Japan, or where cold water from the ocean floor wells up to the surface as it does off the west coast of South America. The continental shelves of the tropics are relatively less rich in plankton because the water is warm.
Marine life is found to be best developed in oceans with a temperature lower than 20°C. Both the Atlantic and Pacific coastlines of the middle and high latitudes in" the northern hemisphere are very much indented and are backed by strong relief. There are sheltered inlets and estuarine coasts that make ideal sites for fishing ports and villages.
More than half of the annual fish catch comes from the cold and temperate waters of the northern hemisphere. The Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans each account for about 40 per cent of the total, the Indian Ocean 4 per cent, while freshwater fishing amounts to about 15 per cent of the total. Amongst the fishing nations, Japan leads: Russia, Chinar Norway and the USA are also important.
The North-East Atlantic Region extends from Iceland to the Mediterranean shores. Here, pelagic, demersal and inshore fishing are all done on a highly organised basis by the European countries, such as Norway, Denmark, Spain, Iceland and the UK. Fishing goes on all round the year in the shallow waters of the North Sea, the most vigorously exploited area being the Dogger Bank. The busiest fishing season is spring, and the principal fish caught are herring, cod a/1d mackerel. The region is the greatest fish-exporting region of the world. In terms of tonnage of fish landed by European countries, Norway leads and Denmark takes second place, followed by Spain, Iceland and Britain.
The North-West Atlantic Region extends from Newfoundland to the New England states of the USA. Traditionally the world's richest cod-fishing region (though catches have declined as a result of overfishing), this region borders Canada and the United States. Fishing and marine industries are an important sector of the economy of seashore provin<:es of Canada, such as Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. Fishing provides employment for the vast majority of the population in Newfoundland.
The north-west Atlantic has a large continental shelf which provides a good breeding ground for fish. Off Newfoundland, at about-latitude 45 oN to 55 oN, the cold Labrador Current and the warm Gulf Stream converge. The icebergs that come south on the Labrador Current bring minerals from the land on which plankton thrive. The cool temperate climate not only favours large-scale commercial fishing, but also the preservation and storage of fish.
Modern canning and refrigerating facilities have greatly helped the fish export trade to progress.
The North-East Pacific Region adjoining the western shores of North America from Alaska to California, form another prosperous fishing region. Many fish inhabit the seas along its highly irregular and indented coastline. Salmon is the most valuable fish caught, and is mostly exported in canned form. In the warmer waters off the California coast, tuna and sardine are important. Large quantities of crabs, shrimps and oysters are also caught for the North American market. Catches in the north-east Pacific by the USA and Canada are smaller than those by Japan and Russia.
The North-West Pacific Region extends from the Bering Sea to the East China Sea. It is the world's greatest fishing region. Japan leads in catch, followed by China, South and North Koreas, and eastern Russia. Within the enclosed seas, e.g., the Sea of Okhotsk, Sea of Japan, Yellow Sea and the East China Sea are found intensive forms of inshore as well as deep-sea fishing. There are probably more people engaged in fishing here than in any other part of the world. Commercial fishing is best developed in Japan where the industry is very highly organised and modern fishing methods are in use.
Other regions of fishing are not so important. But off Peru and Chile the upwelling cold waters of the Humboldt Current create good conditions of plankton development, even though the continental shelf is narrow. Fish, partin! larly anchovies, are found in good numbers. Peru was om the world's leading fishing nation but catches have decijned The bulk of the fish caught is not eaten but is usel!ln- th( manufacture of fertilisers. Another of Peru's traditional industries is the collection of guano from off-shore islands which is based on the same factors. The abundant fish form the food supply for the sea-birds whose guano is collected. The peninsulas and islands of South-East Asia surround a broad continental shelf, the Sunda Shelf. Here fishing is still on a small scale but considerable potential for expansion exists.
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