At 22,531 tonnes, the fisheries sector in Goa saw the mackerel catch double in the financial year 2016-17 compared to the previous year. This constituted a part of the total 1,13,557 tonnes of fish production of 2016-17, statistics by the state department of fisheries reveal. The abundance of mackerals in local markets has subsequently led to a price drop. TOI had reported earlier this week that 12 pieces of mackerels were being sold for Rs 100 compared to six pieces being sold for the same amount in mid-October. “The reason for such a drastic increase in mackerels this time is unknown. The sudden rise has to be scientifically studied,” a fisheries official said. While Goan markets are flooded with the bangdo, a similar trend is seen in neighbouring states as well. “All of the south west coast states of India have seen an increase in mackerel fish catch this time,” said TV Sathianandan from Kochi-based Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). He said that they cannot phase out a single reason for this phenomenon. “A number of factors contribute to this. For instance, human intervention in fishing zones unexplored earlier and efforts put in by those at sea to catch a shoal. Besides, fish often migrate into fresh territories to feed on phytoplankton and zooplankton. This could also be a reason for mackerels coming into close proximity with fishermen in a given area,” he said. Experts also attributed one of the reason to mackerels having changed their habitat in the Indian peninsula. TOI had reported in September 2016 that from being predominantly in the southwest coast, mackerels have moved to the north west coast of India. The species is expanding its habitat toward the Northern part of Maharashtra and towards Gujrat. This was based on a CMFRI study which the Goa-based National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) were to study further. “We are attempting to figure out the reason for this distribution. We are preparing a detailed study on the various fish species in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of India. This data will help us determine the reason for this phenomenon and also help the fisheries community to understand their sector better,” said chief scientist at NIO, A C Anil.