Fishery Survey Vessel finds Tuna in abundance

Port Blair, June 9: The Fishery Survey of India has once again found abundance of Tuna in the Andaman Sea, which if exploited could change the economy of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The survey vessel MFV Blue Marlin of the Fishery Survey of India, Port Blair, has conducted survey of oceanic resources in the eastern part of Andaman waters during May 2007 by deploying modified deep long-line gear, Zonal Director of FSI A Ambrose said today.

During the 20-day survey between latitudes 10&14 N and longitude 92&96 E, the FSI ship expended 8,625 hooks.

The vessel recorded 13 Yellow fin tunas along with other fishes in a single set(625 hooks) of operation from the area Lat/Long 11N - 93E, 30 miles off Northeast Little Andaman and 5 Yellow fin tunas in a single set from the area Lat/Long 10/92, only 20 miles Northeast of Hutbay.

''The size of these fishes ranged between 114 and 159 cm and weighed between 17 - 49 kgs,'' he said.

Apart from the Yellow fin tunas, the vessel also recorded sword fishes, sail fishes, sharks, etc.

The Zonal Director added that the survey results indicated that tunas and allied resources were abundant nearer to the island groups, which can easily be exploited provided the fisher folk equip their craft and gear in order to reach the area to harvest the resources.

The Andaman and Nicobar contributes to about 30 per cent of India's total EEZ area. Its adjoining waters contain various species of untapped marine life that are highly prized as sea food and for a variety of other uses in the international market.

UNI