Financial year 2015-16 saw Goa’s tuna fish haul rise by over 250% compared to FY 2014-15 with fishermen netting 5,577 tonnes of the saltwater finfish in 2015-16 against 1,560 tonnes in 2014-15, according to figures from the state fisheries department. Though the fish is predominantly found in thermocline areas-a transition layer between warmer mixed water at the ocean’s surface and cooler deep water below-Goan fishermen have hauled in a generous catch even at the surface area. Black and yellow fin varieties of the fish are commonly available in the state’s waters. A large chunk of the catch is sold in Kerala where the fish is widely consumed, as opposed to Goa where its demand is low. Until 2014, the fish was being exported as well with 274 tonnes of the fish being sold overseas that year, state figures shared by marine products export development authority, Goa. “Most of the catch from Goa goes into processing of packaged foods. People in Goa don’t consume tuna; it’s only now that they are becoming aware of its nutritional value.” said director of the fisheries department, Shamila Monteiro. Besides tuna, quantities of golden anchovy caught in FY 2015-16 rose to 174 tonnes compared to just six tonnes in the previous financial year. Besides these marine fish, 40 tonnes of the lesser known inland species, megalops was also caught in 2015-16 as against 14 tonnes in 2014-15.
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