The Maharashtra government has implemented a series of stringent norms aimed at curbing the capture and sale of juvenile fish along the state’s coastline. Officials assert that it is crucial to protect marine biodiversity and ensure the long-term sustainability of the fishing industry.
Minimum legal size (MLS) is a key tool in fisheries management, widely used in Europe and Australia, to protect fish from being caught before they have spawned. The MLS curbs are being enforced following increased catches of juvenile fish in recent years.
The new regulations introduce minimum legal sizes (MLS) for 54 commercially important fish species. The decision was developed with inputs from the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), which prohibits the catching and marketing of fish below a specific length, to prevent depletion of breeding populations. Maharashtra has become the third state, after Kerala and Karnataka, to implement MLS regulations for fish.
A stricter ban on juvenile fishing during the recent monsoon led to a sudden rise in the overall catch during the post-monsoon season, prompting this decision. State Minister of Fisheries and Ports Development, Nitesh Rane, chaired a review meeting on the MLS of fish and the ongoing conservation measures to curb juvenile fishing of the Indian silver Pomfret, which is also the state’s official fish. He emphasised the need for a large-scale awareness and compliance campaign to ensure the effective implementation of MLS norms, which are also vital for the sustainability of the species and the livelihood of the fishing community.
According to the revised guidelines, the minimum catch size for species such as silver pomfret and Indian mackerel has been fixed at 13.5 cm and 14 cm, respectively, Bombay duck at 18 cm, and spotted seer fish at 37 cm. Several prawn species also fall under the new size restrictions. Officials said the decision was taken after studies revealed that the premature capture of young fish was severely affecting the spawning cycle and future catch volumes.
A poster detailing the sizes of various fish types was released to raise awareness among fishermen, traders and coastal communities about conserving juvenile fish and adhering to MLS guidelines for long-term fisheries sustainability.
The decision marks a crucial step in Maharashtra’s efforts to balance economic interests with ecological responsibility. By regulating the capture of juvenile fish, the government aims to protect natural breeding, maintain marine food chains, and ensure the livelihoods of people in coastal areas remain sustainable for future generations.
Leave a Reply