Increase in fish catch after the cyclone Phailin in the northern Bay of Bengal lying adjacent to West Bengal coast – A case study

Abstract

The present paper reports an enhancement in fish catch in the northern Bay of Bengal lying adjacent to West Bengal coast after the occurrence of the cyclone Phailin on the 12th October, 2013. MODIS L3 monthly composite data for both chlorophyll and SST of two consecutive years 2012 and 2013 were investigated to see the aftereffects of cyclone on these two parameters. Generally, during a cyclone vertical mixing of the water column uplifts nutrients to mixed layer depth that results in the increase in chlorophyll-a and decrease in sea surface temperature (SST). In this study a substantial increase in mean chlorophyll was observed in October, 2013 in comparison to 2012 (no severe cyclone was reported in Orissa-West Bengal coast). However, no significant change in SST was observed. Mean chlorophyll concentration in October 2012 was 3.12 ± 1.97 mg m-3, however, in October, 2013 it increased to 4.50 ± 2.09 mg m-3. Following this event, a huge increase in fish catch and Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) were also observed. Mean CPUE in October 2012 and 2013 was observed as 9.04 ± 4.70 and 18.63 ± 11.54 respectively. This increase in CPUE after cyclone Phailin might be due to enhanced productivity.