Satellite Based Integrated Potential Fishing Zone Advisories: A Feasibility Analysis in the Coastal Water of West Bengal

Satellite derived ocean colour (chlorophyll a) and sea surface temperature data can be used for prediction of “Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ)” in sea. Present study elicits the benefit of satellite derived PFZ advisories in the coastal stretch (<150 m isobaths) of West Bengal, India during the period of October 2008 to February 2009, a total of 16 PFZ advisories, provided by Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), have been validated using two identical fishing crafts operated from Frasergunj fishing harbour. As a benefit, search time to locate fish schools have gone down significantly and mean catch per unit effort (CPUE) in notified area was 51.47 ± 4.30 SE kg/h, almost twofolds in comparison to the CPUE of non-notified area. It has been also observed that benefit cost ratio of each fishing trip operated in notified area varies between 1.90 and 6.40 and the range is almost double than the boats operated in non-notified areas. © 2013, Zoological Society, Kolkata, India.