Mariappan, S.; Ravikumar, T.; Neethiselvan, N.; Dineshkumar, E.; Dhilipmaniraj, N.; Gomathy, V., and Manickavasagam, S., 2025. Economic and seasonal analysis on catch rate of fish traps operated along the coast of Thoothukudi, southeast coast of India. Journal of Coastal Research, 41(1), 49–56. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208.

Fishermen along the Thoothukudi coast of India use arrowhead fish traps measuring 90 cm in length, 76 cm in breadth, and 40 cm in height. Direct observational surveys were conducted fortnightly from January 2022 to December 2022. Across 24 fishing trials, these traps yielded a catch of 2900 fishes, weighing 997.5 kg. Scarus ghobban exhibited a significantly higher mean catch per unit effort (CPUE) of 12.79 kg per trip than other species. The monthly mean CPUE for arrowhead fish traps was 41.6 kg per trip. Statistical analysis (analysis of variance) revealed that both species and season had significant effects on CPUE (p < 0.05), indicating notable variations in CPUE among species and across seasons. The pre-monsoon season exhibited the highest CPUE (51.8 kg per trip), followed by winter (51.1 kg per trip), monsoon (37.5 kilograms per trip), and postmonsoon (30.3 kg per trip) seasons, suggesting potential seasonal fluctuations in fishing activity or fish abundance, likely influenced by environmental factors such as weather and oceanographic conditions. The trap fishery at Therespuram fishing village showed promising economic benefits, with a benefit-cost ratio of 1.64. The study period revealed that traps operated at Therespuram fishing village were rigid, leading to limited traps being carried onboard fishing vessels. Consequently, the present study suggests that collapsible traps be employed to significantly reduce onboard space requirements. This adaptation would enable fishermen to carry more traps, potentially resulting in increased catches.