There is a large diversity in the fishes being caught in the coastal waters in Cochin region. According to a year-long study conducted by Central Institute of fisheries technology as many as 86 species have been caught by the ring seine boats which are landing their catches at Chellanam. The findings of the study were presented at the recently concluded 11th Indian fisheries and aquaculture forum which was held in Kochi earlier this month. The study revealed the presence of 86 fish of which nearly 50% were pelagic or surface level fishes which the next half were deep sea species. Of this, a total of 15 species showed one time occurrence during the study period. The species ‘assemblage’ study from February 2016 to January, 2017 covered three categories of ring seines viz., small mesh ring seine type I (SMRS-1), small mesh ring seine type II (SMRS-II) and large mesh ring seines (LMRS). “The study showed that juveniles are being caught in the coastal waters. Many of the species come in to breed or in search of food and they get caught in the small meshed ring seines which are being operated near the shore,” said Leela Edwin, principal scientist, CIFT. She said that not all fishermen are avoiding juvenile catches. “They bring it like a mixture and sell it for whatever price they get.” Around 72 species were caught in SMRS-I followed by 67 species in SMRS-II and 50 species in LMRS. Highest values of biodiversity indicate presence of non-targeted species in the catch. None of the species were threatened or endangered, the study found. The catches included sardines, mackerel, shads, anchovies, giant trevally, pomfret, barracuda, ponyfish, threadfin, groupers, croakers, catfish, mullet, eels, tropical two wing flying fish, shrimps, prawns, crabs and jellyfish, said Leena Raphael, research scholar. She said that the fishermen complained of puffer fish and jelly fish menace during their fishing.