Status of tuna fishery in Minicoy, Lakshadweep

The status of tuna fishery at Minicoy is discussed based on the data for the period \n1989 -'99. Pole and line using livebaits and troll operate for its fishery of which the \nformer contribute more than 90% of the total tuna catch. The total tuna catch fluctuated \nfrom 3071 in 1991 to 1,2431 in 1995 with an average of 8641. The effort in boat \ndays varied from 2,265 in 1996 to 3,896 in 1989 with an average of 2,915. The C/E \nranged from 152.2 kg in 1991 to 408.8 kg in 1995 coinciding with the lowest and \nhighest catches respectively. In troll the catch ranged from 91 in 1997 to 281 in 1994 \nand C/E varied from 8.5 kg in 1997 to 27.7 kg in 1994 corresponding with the \nlowest and highest catches respectively. Though the pole and line units are operated \nfrom September to May in general, the success of tuna fishery depend upon the \nhigher catches in two or three months.