A Case Study of Hook and Line Fishery, Kombuthurai, Tamil Nadu

The study conducted in the Kombuthurai village of Thoothukudi district in Tamil Nadu has assessed the sustainability of fishing technique of hook and line during the period 2009–2013. During this period, the range of effort varied from 1598 hours to 1720 hours, while the catch remained in the range of 347.5–430.8 tonnes. To estimate the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and optimum effort (FMSY), the surplus production models (Schaefer and Fox) were used. During 2009–2013, these values were 434 tonnes (R² = 0.99) and 1252 hours, respectively form the Schaefer model and 625 tonnes (R² = 0.99) and 1000 hours, respectively from the Fox model on year-wise basis. On month-wise basis, the estimate MSY and FMSY values for the Schaefer model were 36.95 tonnes (R² = 0.88) and 185 hours, respectively; while from the Fox model were 31.8 tonnes (R² = 0.88) and 185 hours, respectively. The study has found sustainable catch during the study period (2009–2013) on yearly basis from MSY level and hence, the overall catch can be considered sustainable.