Exploration of demersal fishery resources through satellite derived thermal signature

An approach for exploration of demersal fishery resources using remote sens ing technique has been developed and demonstrated. This involved study of a ggregation pattern of demersal fish in response to the thermal fronts obser ved in the sea surface temperature (SST) image generated using NOAA-AVHRR d ata. Demersal fish catch data obtained from the Gujarat Fishery Development Corporation of India were used for the correlation study. Over 30 AVHRR sc enes spread over different seasons were analyzed for SST. Fish catch data f or the corresponding dates were located in the SST images of corresponding dates. A definite pattern of preference of demersal fish in the waters of o verlying thermal fronts was observed. Subsequently, a joint CIFNET-SAC expe riment was planned for validation of the approach. This involved generation of SST charts on real time basis at and communication of information on po tential areas of occurrence of demersal fish at SAG. Follow up action was t aken by CIFNET by carrying out experimental fishing in the suggested areas within 24 hours. This paper emphasizes validation exercise carried out to l ocate demersal fish from satellite data. It was found that high catches of demersal resources including prawns were associated with sediment fronts in the Sand heads area (Bay of Bengal), long persistent fronts and coastal fr onts with large temperature gradients.