Baitfish plays a pivotal role in sustaining Lakshadweep’s pole and line tuna fisheries. Ensuring a steady supply of baitfish is essential for the long-term sustainability of these fisheries. While baitfish populations naturally fluctuate, fishers have periodically reported insufficient baitfish catches. It is imperative to implement strategies for managing baitfish resources to secure consistent and sustainable catches, both now and in the future. Spatially managing baitfish resources represents one viable approach. And so in 2019, with pole and line tuna fishers of Lakshadweep, we initiated participatory mapping of baitfish resources.

Suheli

Perumal

Kavaratti

Agatti

Bangaram

Kadmat

Consolidated poster of baitfish maps