Corollary of Marine Eco-system Sustainability by Addressing the Issues of Bycatches

Abstract

The issue of bycatch in fisheries sector has been a major concern for the marine biologists over few decades in terms of conservation of marine eco-system and sustainability of the fisheries sector and marine biodiversity. Bycatch generally include species of little commercial importance, which in most cases is dumped overboard either into the sea or after reaching the fish landing sites. The article discusses the ecological, economic, legal, social influences, and the importance in addressing the issue of bycatch. The concept of bycatch is relatively new in the horizon in Indian perspective as it is often considered major issues by developed nations which are characterised by highly mechanised and industrialised fisheries. The problem of bycatch is seen as the depletion of this food source for local consumption and therefore a threat to livelihoods and food security in general and it has environmental, economic, socio-cultural impacts. The adverse effects of by-catch can be mitigated through commercialisation of bycatch and making profits from the sale of bycatch, opening up of new markets for bycatch species or products, uses of fishmeal as feed in the poultry and aquaculture industries and application of bycatch reduction devices (BRDs). The revamping the present monitoring system used to collect fisheries data, strengthening technical know-how, bringing effective policy intervention, efficient co-management, and sincere and honest efforts in reducing bycatch and discards may provide a considerable impact towards sustainability of marine eco-system.