MFV Blue Marlin locates abundance of sharks, sword fish and tunas in Nicobar
waters
THE DAILY TELEGRAMS, Feb 4, 2007
Port Blair, Feb 03
Marine Fishery Survey Vessel Blur Marlin, attached to Port Blair Zonal
Base of Fishery Survey of India, Port Blair conducted drift long line
fishing using light sticks for Sword fish survey in the western part of
Nicobar waters of Indian EEZ. During the period of 6-days survey between
23rd & 29th Jan, 2007 six squares of 1° Lat X 1° Long were covered. Results
of hooking rate in percentage recorded was between 0.9% and 4.4%. The
highest hooking rate of 4.4% was registered Off Western part of Car Nicobar
waters. In total 88 numbers of fishes caught weighing 2.3 tons. The
aggregate hooking rate of highest abundance of Sharks (Badmash Machi) was
recorded 1.2% followed by Sword fish with a hooking rate of 0.5% Off
Southwest Hutbay.
Other commercially important fishes caught during the survey were Yellow
fin tuna, Skipjack tuna, Big eye tuna locally known as Katta Bhangdi;
Barracuda locally called as Dandoos machi; sail fish locally known as
Hawabill machi, Big scale pomfret, etc.
A communication from the Zonal Director said, since the fishing ground is
closer to the Car Nicobar and Hut Bay the fishermen of the Car Nicobar and
Hut Bay Islands can venture into the sea for harvesting the resources for
better earnings.
For further assistance one can contact the Zonal Director, Port Blair
Zonal Base of Fishery Survey of India, Phoenix Bay, (Near Fisheries jetty
main gate), Port Blair - 744101 Phone: 232677 / 236696), the communication
added.