An analysis of spawning periods of marine fish resources along both India’s west coast and east coast reveals differences in the peak spawning periods for pelagic and demersal stocks.

A new analysis of the spawning period of species along both the coasts of India suggests it may be appropriate to review the timing of the seasonal closure of marine fisheries in India.

The analysis is based on 526 historic fish and shellfish spawning records over a 64-year period, on Indian fisheries in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal between 1954 and 2018. The spawning records on 129 species are contained in the Indian Marine Life Histories (INMARLH) database. Its analysis revealed that along the west coast, 69 per cent of the species spawn during the April-May period and 65 per cent in the November-December period. Along the east coast, 68 per cent spawn during March-April. There were differences in the peak spawning periods for pelagic and demersal stocks along both coasts.