The fishing industry of Minicoy Island with special reference to the tuna fishery

Abstract

The coral island of Minicoy (Fig. 1 a and b) in the Indian Ocean (Latitude 8° 7' N., Longitude 73° 18' E.) is the most important tuna fishing centre in the Indian Union (Fig. 1). Situated between the two main groups of islands of the Laccadive and the Maldive Archipelagoes, it is about 10 km. long and 820 m. broad in the centre and has an area of about 455 hectares and population of about 4,000 who speak the same Mahl dialect as the Maldivians to whom they are related ethnically. The main port of trade in India for the islanders is Cannanore about 420 km. away on the Malabar coast and specially built sailing vessels known as odams are used for carrying men and cargo to the mainland and back. Tuna fishery is the most important industry of the island and the chief product of export is the mas min or the cured and dried meat of tuna the value of which has recently risen to the record figure of over half a million rupees a year. Export of cured tuna meat contributes about two-thirds of the total income of the islanders while next in order of importance comes the money remitted by those serving as lascars in merchant vessels. The only other source of income is from the sale of produce like copra, jaggery, coir and vinegar from coconuts. There is practically no other source of revenue and the inhabitants have to depend entirely on the mainland for all essential items and necessities of daily life such as rice and other commodities. In view of this, a barter system of trade prevails there and the necessary goods are supplied by certain merchants at Cannanore directly or through their agents stationed in the island.