Assessment of economic impact of juvenile fishing of sciaenids along Mumbai Coast, India

Present study is about the economic loss to fishery sector of sciaenids fishery resource due to juvenile fishing. Sciaenids fishery include two species of bigger sciaenids O. biauratus (Cantor) and P.diacanthus (Lacepede )and four species of lesser sciaenids J.macrorhynus (Mohan), J. vogleri (Bleeker), J. sina (Cuvier) and O. cuvieiri (Trewavas). Study was done for Mumbai coast using bio-economic model, based on data from three important landing centers (New Ferry Wharf, Sassoon Docks and Versova) of Mumbai. Total estimated economic loss was at about INR.128 crores for 2010-2011 being highest from New Ferry Wharf (Rs. 68 crores) and lowest from Sassoon Docks (Rs.25 crores). The major economic deficit is in the month of November. Study provides an insight about the loss due to juvenile fishing in a shrimp oriented fishery where juveniles of other fishes form a major portion of the by-catch. This would reduce future yield to the fishery besides economic loss.