Karnataka is following a technique used by its neighbouring states to increase breeding of fish in the sea. Artificial reefs will be dropped into the sea at 56 spots in the coastal line of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts for the same purpose.
Tamil Nadu and Kerala has tasted success using the artificial reef method. After four to five years of dropping the reefs, the fish quantity increases by leaps and bounds. Already a team of expert of CMFRI has visited the 56 spots and prepared a report on the feasibility of the scheme.
Artificial reefs were first introduced in Tamil Nadu fishing ports. The project was led by officer Jokilakudan of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). When these artificial reefs are put in definite spots in the sea, the breeding of fish increases. Hence, the catch of fish also increases considerably. According to scientist of CMFRI Jokilakudan, artificial reefs are dropped at a distance of around six nautical miles in the sea. These allow the fishes to take shelter as well as breed below their edges. It is possible to get good results within a year.
This method will also curtail the use of illegal fishing techniques like gillnet, trawling, chauri chauri fishing and light fishing. It will be difficult to do fishing near artificial rocks. Hence, these reefs are geo-tagged. In Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, 20 spots are identified for the purpose.
They are Someshwara, Ullal, Panambur, Baikampady, Hosabettu, Suratkal, Mulky, Sasihithlu in Dakshina Kannada, Hejmady, Padubidri, Tenka Ermalu, Bada Ermalu, Kaup light house, Kodi Kanyana, Manur, Gopady, Marvanthe, Navunda, Beejady and Kesarakodi in Udupi district. Rest 36 spots are identified in the districts of Uttara Kannada. This will help purse seine and traditional fishing.