FSI confirms abundance of deep-sea shrimp and lobster in Andaman Sea

Port Blair, Mar 13 (UNI) The Andaman Sea is the only marine area in the exclusive economic zone having an abundance of spear lobsters as well as deep-sea shrimp.

A two-month special survey was conducted by the Fisheries Survey of India (FSI) for assessment of pelagic, mild water and demersal fish resources in the Andaman and Nicobar islands.

Elaborating on the findings, FSI Director General Dr V S Somvanshi told mediapersons today that in the survey among the catch, 80 per cent were yellow fin tunas, which have tremendous export value.

He underlined the need for setting up an international standard fishing harbour at Campbell Bay.

''Fishing in deeper waters and also by adopting diversified fishing techniques will help improve the fishing status of these islands,'' Dr Somvanshi said.

He said tapping the abundant marine resources wisely would be the key in the future as lobster and sea shrimp had very high value in foreign countries and could transform Andaman's economy.

As per the recommendations, the local unit of the FSI undertook the special drive programme for the demersal and mildwater resources survey programme earlier.

For the demersal resources survey, three vessels - Matsya Varshini and Matsya Sugandhi from Cochin and Matsya Darshini from Vizag - were deployed, he added.

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