A recent study conducted by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) sheds light on the positive impact of the annual monsoon trawl ban on the karikadi prawn resources along India’s southwest coast, particularly in Kerala. Despite initial concerns among local fishermen about potential harvest losses during the ban period, the study indicates that the ban actually contributes to the long-term sustainability of the karikadi (kiddi prawn) fishery by facilitating species recruitment during the rainy season.
Karikadi prawn (Parapenaeopsis stylifera) holds significant economic value in both domestic and international markets, making it a crucial fishery resource along India’s southwest coast. The implementation of mechanized trawling bans during the monsoon season had previously led to fluctuations in karikadi catch, raising concerns among fishermen about unharvested prawns moving away to deeper waters.
However, findings from the CMFRI study challenge this perception. Despite migrating to deeper areas during the monsoon due to their preference for high salinity and low temperatures driven by rainfall, karikadi prawns remain accessible to fishing methods in depths ranging from 50 to 100 meters immediately after the trawl ban period. Additionally, the study reveals that the near-shore waters during the monsoon season predominantly harbor juvenile karikadi populations, highlighting the ban’s role in facilitating continued recruitment and growth of prawn resources.
The study recommends focusing trawling activity towards depths of 50–100 meters between August and September, following the ban period, to harvest prawn resources that migrate to deeper waters during the monsoon. Moreover, it suggests that unharvested large-sized karikadi prawns may relocate along the Indian coast once coastal waters reach their preferable salinity range.
Head of the Shellfish Fisheries Division at CMFRI, A.P. Dineshbabu, who led the study, emphasized its significance in addressing socio-economic concerns raised by Kerala’s trawl fishermen. Utilizing GIS-based spatial distribution tracking and correlation with environmental factors, the study provides valuable insights into the unique distribution and movement patterns of karikadi prawns.
Published in the latest issue of Regional Studies in Marine Science, the CMFRI study underscores the importance of sustainable management practices, highlighting how the monsoon trawl ban plays a crucial role in ensuring the continued viability of karikadi prawn resources along India’s southwest coast.
