Observations on large-scale destruction of fishing gear by the pufferfishes (family Tetraodontidae) along the south Konkan Coast (west coast of India)

The pufferfishes (family Tetraodontidae) have created havoc along the south Konkan Coast of Maharashtra State, India since last twelve years by regularly resorting to large-scale destruction of fishing gear. Present work was initiated to analyse the causes for this strange phenomenon. Out of the seven species of puffers occurring in the area, Lagocephalus spadiceus seems to be largely responsible for destruction of gear. The extent of damage is observed to be more severe during September-November, which is the peak mackerel fishing season. They seem to be particularly severe on passive gear than active ones. Industrial fishing might have contributed to the increase in pupulation of puffers in the recent years. A few practical remedial measures for counteracting puffer menance have been suggested based on experimental evidences. The menacing population of L. spadiceus can be appreciably curbed by fishing it out and exporting to several puffer-eating countries. Damage by puffers can be effectively controlled by treating the fishing nets in a mixture of liquid coal tar and diesel.