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Purse Seine Fishing: Advantage, Drawback, Concerns & More | UPSC Notes

Last Updated on Feb 21, 2025
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Syllabus

General Studies- III

Topics for Prelims

Fishing, Ocean, Sea, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

Topics for Mains

Environment, Impact on Biodiversity, Indian Economic Development

What is Purse Seine Fishing?

Purse seine fishing is a commercial fishing technique under which a large wall of netting is built to encircle entire schools of fish. The bottom of the net is drawn closed just like a drawstring purse in order to trap the fish inside. It is widely used by fishermen all over the world as it is one of the most efficient methods for capturing schooling fish species that gather either in the deeper waters or near the surface of the ocean.

Know more about Marine Mineral Resources!

How Purse Seine Fishing Works?

These are the following techniques:

  • Finding the Right Spot: Sonar, modern day fish-finding technology, or even spotter planes are used to find or locate large schools of fish, such as sardines, mackerel, tuna, or herring.
  • Encircling the Fish: Once the spot is located, the fishing vessel or boat releases a large net in a circular pattern around the whole spot. It is to be noted that the net can stretch hundreds of meters long.
  • Closing the Net: There are rings at the bottom of the encircling fishing net that allow a cable to be drawn tight. This helps in closing the bottom of the net effectively and trapping the fish inside, much like pulling the strings of a purse.
  • Hauling the Catch: The fishing net in that spot which is containing the fish, is hauled aboard the boat, either manually or with winches, and the fish are collected for processing.

What are the Target Species in Purse Seine Fishing?

Purse seine fishing is a commercial technique of fishing which is typically used to catch schooling fish species that usually swim in large groups near the surface. Some common categories of such fishes are:

  • Tuna (Yellowfin, Skipjack)
  • Sardines
  • Mackerel
  • Anchovies
  • Herring

Know more about Overfishing and its types!

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Advantages of Purse Seine Fishing

These are the following advantages of Purse Seine Fishing:

  • High Efficiency: As of now this technique is the most effective method for capturing huge quantities of fish in a short period of time.
  • Selective: Unlike other techniques such as bottom trawling, this technique is generally selective for surface-dwelling species which ultimately reduces bycatch of bottom-dwelling species.

Know more about UNCLOS!

Environmental Concerns of Purse Seine Fishing
  • Bycatch: As it is a known fact that purse seine fishing is selective, there is still a risk of bycatch,due to which non-target species such as dolphins, turtles, sharks are captured and thus many environmentalists have criticized this technique. 
  • Overfishing: This technique is very efficient but it is to be noted that purse seine fishing can lead to overfishing if not properly regulated and monitored.
  • Fish Aggregating Devices: When purse seine fishing uses floating objects like Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs), it can lead to trapping of non-target species like Dolphins, Sharks etc. along with the intended catch which increases the likelihood of bycatch and ultimately harming vulnerable species.

Sustainable Practices for Mitigating the Impact

Some fisheries use observer programs or bycatch reduction technologies in order to mitigate the environmental impact. Apart from that governments enforce quotas and other restrictions on purse seine operations. Sustainable certifications are also used to manage the technique properly.

Issues Related to Purse Seine Fishing Technique in India

An expert committee formed by the Government of India has already submitted its report. Based on that report, the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has recommended lifting of the ban on purse seine fishing. The expert committee suggested framing of a national management plan on purse seine fisheries. The committee did not find any conclusive evidence of any sort of major resource depletion due to this fishing technique.

Key Takeaways for UPSC Aspirants

  • Fishing: Fishing is a state subject and thus the management of fisheries in territorial waters is the duty of the state government.
  • Seventh Schedule: The Schedule VII of Indian Constitution contains three lists i.e Union list, State List and Concurrent list.
  • UNCLOS: This is an international agreement that sets the governing framework on utilization of marine resources.
  • Territorial Waters: Countries have sovereignty over waters up to 12 nautical miles from their coastlines. This is known as territorial water.
  • Contiguous Zone: This extends to 24 nautical miles from the coast.

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Purse Seine Fishing UPSC FAQs

Continental Shelf is the underwater land extending beyond the Exclusive Economic Zone. It extends up to 350 nautical miles from the coastline.

61 Subjects.

The mining and exploration of the deep seabed beyond national jurisdictions is regulated by ISA or International Seabed Authority.

This is an international agreement that sets the governing framework on utilization of marine resources.

The EEZ extends 200 nautical miles from a nation's coastline.

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