Carbon footprint and associated environmental impacts of fisheries on the Pulicat region, Southern India: A preliminary study

Abstract

The current research analyzed carbon emissions resulting from fossil fuel consumption in the Pulicat region. This area is home to approximately 3500 motorized boats dedicated to fishing activities. Through this comprehensive study, we assessed the fuel consumption and subsequent carbon emissions within the motorized fishing sector. Our investigation revealed that traditional fishing methods in Pulicat Lake consumed 148,515 L of fuel whereas fishing methods along the Pulicat coast consumed a substantial 1650,429 L of fuel during the study period spanning from June 2022 to May 2023. In total, the Pulicat region accounted for the consumption of 1798,944 L (1547.1 metric tonnes (MT)) of fuel, contributing a mere 0.00004% to the global fuel consumption levels attributed to the small-scale fishing sector. Furthermore, the cumulative CO2 emissions resulting from fishing activities in the Pulicat region amounted to 4731.23 MT, representing a 0.001% of the overall CO2 emissions attributed to the Indian fishing sector. Remarkably, the Pulicat region emitted 1.05 MT of CO2 to capture 1 t of fish during the study period. The average CO2 emissions of fish stood at 1.08 MT of CO2/ ton of fish. Our analysis revealed that October 2022 recorded the highest carbon emissions per ton of fish at 1.45 MT of CO2 whereas May 2023 exhibited the lowest carbon emissions at 0.54 MT of CO2/ ton of fish. Within the Pulicat region, the use of crab lift net fishing methods in the lake (0.10 MT of CO2 per ton of fish) and purse seine techniques along the coast (0.65 MT of CO2/ ton of fish) emerged as the most energy-efficient fishing methods among the various alternatives. This study offers an in-depth exploration of carbon emissions originating from the Pulicat region’s fishing activities, providing valuable insights into the environmental impact of this crucial sector.