Changes in monsoon caused fluctuation in sardine population: CMFRI study
Given that climate change causes such fluctuations, the study recommends the need for short-term warnings tailored to each fish species and suggests localized fishing restrictions based on the prevailing situation.
Given that climate change causes such fluctuations, the study recommends the need for short-term warnings tailored to each fish species and suggests localized fishing restrictions based on the prevailing situation.
Given that climate change causes such fluctuations, the study recommends the need for short-term warnings tailored to each fish species and suggests localized fishing restrictions based on the prevailing situation.
Kochi: A study by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has concluded that changes in monsoon rainfall were responsible for the unexpected proliferation of small sardines along the Kerala coast last year and the subsequent ecological and economic impacts.
The study analyzed marine biological factors in Kochi, Vizhinjam, and Kozhikode. The research reveals that changes in the ocean due to climate change cause significant fluctuations in sardine availability.
In 2012, Kerala recorded a historic catch of 4 lakh tons of sardines, which plummeted to a mere 3500 tons in 2021. However, last year, an abundance of small sardines, averaging 10 centimetres in size, appeared in large numbers along the Kerala coast. In Kozhikode and Thrissur districts, these sardines washed ashore in large schools. The proliferation of sardine juveniles gradually led to reduced food availability, resulting in stunted growth and lower weight. Consequently, the price of sardines in the market plummeted, necessitating a halt to the capture of juvenile sardines.
Given that climate change causes such fluctuations, the study recommends the need for short-term warnings tailored to each fish species and suggests localized fishing restrictions based on the prevailing situation. The study, led by CMFRI Principal Scientist Dr U Ganga, has been published in the Current Science journal.
Sardines: Reasons for Fluctuations
1. Favourable monsoon rains and the upwelling of nutrient-rich water led to the proliferation of micro-plankton, providing abundant food for sardine larvae. This increased larval survival, leading to a surge in sardine juveniles.
2. The productivity of the ecosystem significantly influences sardine availability. Marine heatwaves also impact sardine breeding and distribution.