Mackerels, sardines heading north

Climatic changes have affected the distribution of some species of fish in the eastern and western coast of the country. Species like sardines and mackerels, which were endemic to south-western peninsular waters, are now found off the coast of Gujarat and Pakistan.

Dr Vivekananda, an international marine scientist, attributed this to the increasing sea water temperature and change of wind direction over the seas.

“The dispersion of mackerels and sardines is just a beginning and I fear that a few other types of fish may also follow suit,” he said.

Mackerels and sardines were found in abundance only in the coasts of Kerala and Karnataka.“There are changes in the coastal waters and estuarine zones which are the breeding grounds of fish. Destruction of mangrove forests on a large scale is yet another reason for these varieties to move to other coastal zones with safer marine ecosystems conducive for procreation,” he said.

“Increasing temperature of the sea has a bleaching effect on the coral reefs. Further increase in the sea water temperature will destroy the coral reefs which are important to coastal eco system,” he said.

Experts also said that migration of common species like Mackerel and Sardines would adversely affect food security of people in the coastal areas as these two species belong to low value types which are consumed by common people.

Sources in the fisheries department confirmed that there was a dip in the low value fish catch on the Karnataka coast, pushing up their prices.

Experts in the Fisheries College, Mangalore said the development could be reversed by  taking a few measures like keeping the coastline of the southern states free from pollution.