Fishing in Kerala

Kerala is the only region in India where fish Resources are rich and no other state possesses fish workers as intelligent and work conscious as those in Kerala

Kerala is one of the leading maritime states in India. The state of Kerala situated in the south west part of peninsular India has a slender stretch of land with a long surf beaten coast on the western side and a lush green mountain range on the eastern side. The Marine Resources of Kerala are obtained from a coastline of 560km. The state has a geographical area of 388635km .The Kerala coast popularly known as Malabar Coast from very early times, provides one of the richest fishing zones in the world.

The coast of Kerala constitutes approximately 10 percent of India’s total coastline. The coast line of 560km and the Exclusive Economic zone (EEZ) extends up to 200 nautical miles far beyond the continental shelf, Which covers an area of 218536 sq km provide opportunities in traditional fishing in inshore waters from ages .The continental shelf area is 39139 sq km the area within the 18 m depth range accounts for 5000 sq km.

The marine potential of Kerala is enormous and only a small part of it is currently being exploited. In Kerala the marine waters offer a very lucrative fishery, south-west monsoon coupled with northwesterly winds and the oceanic currents cause upwelling along the coast which brings the nutrient rich deep waters to the surface, with flourishing primary production and followed by a good fishery. Kerala coast has major Fisheries-2/”>Fisheries of the shrimps,cuttle fish,sardines,mackerels, anchovies, soles sharks, rays etc. On an Average of 6.02 lakh tones of marine fish is produced annually by the state.

A lot of changes have taken place in the fisheries sector of Kerala. Primarily those happened in the catching strategy of which the most important one is the mechanization process. As a result the marine fisheries sector of Kerala was divided into two sectors, namely traditional and modern .The modern sector was introduced in 1953 at Neendakara–shakthikulangara region under the initiative of indo-Norwegian project (INP).The novel facilities introduced in fishing Industry by indo-Norwegian project accordingly are mechanically operated new boats new fishing nets, and the Norwegian model ice factory with a cold storage plant. INP has introduced new methods of fish processing and forms of distribution. The successful trawl carried out at the fishing village of Kannamali in Eranakulam during 1979-80 attracted the fishermen community. soon after mechanization motorization programme gained momentum kerala especially in AlleppyEranakulam and Kollam district .The mechanized sector plays an important role in the fishery contributing to about 66 percent, followed by the motorized sector contributing 27 percent and the artisan sector contributing 7 percent. The mechanization provides a wide opportunity to the fishing industry in Kerala.At the mean time the Socio-Economic conditions of mariners Kerala are also improved.

Fishing Population:

The fishing population of Kerala as a whole is about 7,70,000 forming 1,59,000 households. Thus one out of every 30 fishing households in the state is that of a fisherman. If we were to make a distinction between those who fish in the deep sea and those who fish in the inland waters, So 1,14,000 are marked as marine fishing households ad 45,000 inland fishing households. The industry provides EMPLOYMENT to another 3,50,000 persons. Three major religious groups named Hindu, Muslim and Christaine are attached to fishing industry.

Importance of Fishing:

Fishing occupies an important place in the economy of Kerala as it is an important source of food and protein, it is a major avenue of employment and in recent years, it has become a major export industry. Kerala’s population is essentially a fish-eating population; the level of fish consumption in Kerala is four times the national average. Fish was a relatively cheap source of protein. Eggs, milk or meat rarely enter the diet. Fish remains an integral part of the food.

The people engaged in fisheries come under three distinct groups: (i) those employed in the actual catching of fish, (ii) those engaged in the processing and (iii) those engaged in the making of fishing equipment such as craft and gear. There is some overlap between these groups but when one usually talks of fisherman, one is referring to people falling in the first group.

With the high population pressure and high Unemployment in the state, fisheries are a great source of economic diversification.

Traditionally there existed some export of dried fish and prawn powder from Kerala to the South East Asian countries. This activity was however marginal. The major preoccupation was to meet the domestic consumption requirements of fish for the population of the state and the border districts of the neighbouring state. Today, marine products rank as the thrid largest commodity export of the country.

Technology and Knowledge:

Fishermen in Kerala are confronted today with a considerably changed “universe”. Interactions between fishermen and marine biologists, oceanographers, craft and gear technologists point to the exciting possibilities of undertaking a development process. The use of motors and new material for nets are the major changes in technology.Even the use of a compass is still rare. One area where greater investigation are required pertains to obtaining an understanding about how fishermen acquire their holistic knowledge of the sea and the living resources in it. Blending of tradional and modern science and technology can help to retain the decentralized, small scale operations and the vibrant technology diversity. This is an important need of the hour as it will help foucus on how best coastal fisheries in tropical developing countries can first achieve the goals of sustainable livelihood and food at the locale, before all else.

Fish and Food Security:

Fish is a major nutritional mainstay in the diet of Kerala’s population, irrespective of their income levels, religion or social background. It is also a major endogenous symbol of the culture of food in Kerala. Its role in the food security of all the different cultural and economic segments of the domestic consumers in Kerala is indisputable.

In the context of Kerala, where fishing communities are at the lower end of the economic ladder and fish forms an important component of the food basket of all economic groups in the Society.

Fishing is a popular activity in Kerala, and there are many different ways to fish. Some of the most popular fishing methods include net fishing, trap fishing, line fishing, and fishing with hook and line.

Net fishing is a method of fishing that uses a net to catch fish. There are many different types of nets, but the most common type used in Kerala is the cast net. A cast net is a small, circular net that is thrown into the water. The net sinks to the bottom of the water and traps the fish.

Trap fishing is a method of fishing that uses a trap to catch fish. There are many different types of traps, but the most common type used in Kerala is the fish trap. A fish trap is a small, cage-like structure that is placed in the water. The fish swim into the trap and are unable to escape.

Line fishing is a method of fishing that uses a line and a hook to catch fish. The line is attached to a rod, and the hook is baited with food. The line is then cast into the water, and the angler waits for a fish to bite.

Fishing with hook and line is a method of fishing that uses a hook and line to catch fish. The hook is baited with food, and the line is cast into the water. The angler waits for a fish to bite, and then they reel the fish in.

There are many different fishing spots in Kerala, but some of the most popular spots include the backwaters, rivers, lakes, and ocean. The backwaters are a Network of canals and lagoons that are located in the southern part of Kerala. The rivers are located in the central and northern parts of Kerala. The lakes are located in the central and southern parts of Kerala. The ocean is located on the western coast of Kerala.

There are different fishing seasons in Kerala, depending on the type of fish you are trying to catch. The monsoon season is the best time to fish for carp, catfish, and tilapia. The winter season is the best time to fish for mackerel, tuna, and sardines. The summer season is the best time to fish for barramundi, snapper, and grouper.

There are many different types of fishing gear that you can use in Kerala. Some of the most common types of fishing gear include fishing rods, fishing reels, fishing lines, fishing hooks, fishing lures, fishing bait, fishing nets, fishing traps, and fishing boats.

There are different fishing regulations in Kerala. You will need to obtain a fishing license before you can fish in Kerala. There are also size limits and bag limits for certain types of fish. You will need to check the latest fishing regulations before you go fishing in Kerala.

There are some safety precautions that you should take when fishing in Kerala. You should always wear a life jacket when you are fishing in the water. You should also be aware of the weather conditions and the tides. You should never fish alone, and you should always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back.

There are some fishing etiquette rules that you should follow when fishing in Kerala. You should always respect other anglers, the Environment, the fish, and the local community. You should also clean up after yourself and dispose of your waste properly.

Here are some fishing tips that you can use in Kerala:

Choose the right fishing spot. The best fishing spots are usually located near the mouths of rivers, in the backwaters, or in the ocean.
Use the right fishing gear. The type of fishing gear that you need will depend on the type of fish you are trying to catch.
Use the right fishing technique. The best fishing technique will depend on the type of fish you are trying to catch and the type of fishing gear you are using.
Be patient. Fishing can be a slow process, so you need to be patient.
Have fun! Fishing is a great way to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about fishing:

What is fishing?
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch fish. It is usually done by using a fishing rod and line, but can also be done by using nets, traps, or other methods.
What are the different types of fishing?
There are many different types of fishing, but some of the most common include:
Freshwater fishing: This type of fishing is done in rivers, lakes, and other bodies of freshwater.
Saltwater fishing: This type of fishing is done in Oceans, seas, and other bodies of saltwater.
Fly fishing: This type of fishing is done using a special type of rod and line that is designed to cast artificial flies.
Ice fishing: This type of fishing is done through a hole in the ice on a frozen body of water.
What are the different types of fish?
There are over 32,000 different species of fish in the world. Some of the most common types of fish include:
Bass: Bass are a type of freshwater fish that are popular for sport fishing.
Trout: Trout are a type of freshwater fish that are popular for both sport fishing and eating.
Salmon: Salmon are a type of anadromous fish that live in both freshwater and saltwater.
Catfish: Catfish are a type of freshwater fish that are known for their whiskers.
Shrimp: Shrimp are a type of crustacean that are popular for both sport fishing and eating.
Lobster: Lobsters are a type of crustacean that are popular for eating.
What are the different fishing methods?
There are many different fishing methods, but some of the most common include:
Casting: This is the most common type of fishing method. It involves casting a fishing line into the water and then reeling it in.
Trolling: This type of fishing involves slowly dragging a fishing line behind a boat.
Bottom fishing: This type of fishing involves anchoring a boat and then fishing near the bottom of the water.
Fly fishing: This type of fishing involves using a special type of rod and line that is designed to cast artificial flies.
Ice fishing: This type of fishing is done through a hole in the ice on a frozen body of water.
What are the different fishing gear?
There are many different types of fishing gear, but some of the most common include:
Fishing rods: Fishing rods are used to cast fishing lines into the water.
Fishing reels: Fishing reels are used to reel in fishing lines.
Fishing lines: Fishing lines are used to attach bait or lures to fishing hooks.
Fishing hooks: Fishing hooks are used to catch fish.
Bait: Bait is used to attract fish.
Lures: Lures are used to imitate bait and attract fish.
Nets: Nets are used to catch fish.
Traps: Traps are used to catch fish.
What are the different fishing regulations?
There are many different fishing regulations, but some of the most common include:
Fishing licenses: Fishing licenses are required in many places to fish.
Size limits: Size limits are in place to protect certain species of fish.
Bag limits: Bag limits are in place to limit the number of fish that can be caught.
Closed seasons: Closed seasons are in place to protect certain species of fish during their spawning season.
What are the different fishing techniques?
There are many different fishing techniques, but some of the most common include:
Bait fishing: Bait fishing is the most common type of fishing. It involves using bait to attract fish.
Lure fishing: Lure fishing is a type of fishing that involves using lures to imitate bait and attract fish.
Fly fishing: Fly fishing is a type of fishing that involves using a special type of rod and line that is designed to cast artificial flies.
Ice fishing: Ice fishing is a type of fishing that is done through a hole in the ice on a frozen body of water.
What are the different fishing ethics?
There are many different fishing ethics, but some of the most common include:
Respect for the environment: Fishermen should respect the environment and avoid damaging it.
Respect for other fishermen: Fishermen should respect other fishermen and avoid interfering with their fishing.
Respect for the fish: Fishermen should respect the fish and avoid catching more than they need.
**Release of fish

Which of the following is the largest producer of fish in the world?
(A) China
(B) India
(C) Indonesia
(D) Vietnam
Which of the following is the most popular type of fish in the world?
(A) Salmon
(B) Tuna
(C) Tilapia
(D) Carp
Which of the following is the most common method of fishing?
(A) Trawling
(B) Gillnetting
(C) Longlining
(D) Pole and line fishing
Which of the following is the most destructive type of fishing?
(A) Bottom trawling
(B) Driftnetting
(C) Longlining
(D) Gillnetting
Which of the following is the most sustainable type of fishing?
(A) Aquaculture
(B) Marine Protected Areas
(C) Catch Shares
(D) Ecolabelling
Which of the following is the most common type of fish in the Mediterranean Sea?
(A) Anchovy
(B) Sardine
(C) Tuna
(D) Swordfish
Which of the following is the most common type of fish in the Atlantic Ocean?
(A) Cod
(B) Haddock
(C) Salmon
(D) Tuna
Which of the following is the most common type of fish in the Pacific Ocean?
(A) Salmon
(B) Tuna
(C) Halibut
(D) Cod
Which of the following is the most common type of fish in the Indian Ocean?
(A) Tuna
(B) Mackerel
(C) Shrimp
(D) Crab
Which of the following is the most common type of fish in the Arctic Ocean?
(A) Cod
(B) Salmon
(C) Halibut
(D) Polar cod