AVAILABILITY OF MACKEREL

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LOK SABHA

Huge colonies of mackerel have been located in the Bay of Bengal off the Visakhapatnam coast. Heavy landings of Indian mackerel by mechanized boats operating from the Visakhapatnam fishing harbour was reported from January to April this year. Investigation showed that the concentrations were mainly found in the areas of Pudimadaka and Bhimunipatnam at a depth range of 40 to 56 metres. It has been reported that though mackerel is an important fishery along the west coast of India, high incidence of shoals of this fish along the West Bengal, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh coast is not uncommon. Scientific investigations point to fluctuations in sea surface temperature, shortage of food in upper mixed layers and sinking of mixed layers during the north-east monsoon as probable reasons for abundant availability of mackerel in this region.

Due to the increased availability, the export of frozen mackerel has recorded almost four-fold increase from the port of Visakhapatnam, both in terms of quantity and value. Besides, a substantial quantity is being transported to the neighbouring states in fresh or iced form. Curing and drying is also practiced for preservation and movement of excess catch to distant destinations.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Agriculture, Shri Hukumdeo Narayan Yadav in a written reply to a question by Shri Gutha Sukender Reddy in the Lok Sabha today.