Evaluating the status of marine fishery resources along the Gujarat coast of India: A productivity and susceptibility analysis

The study offers a detailed assessment of the vulnerability of marine fishery resources along the Gujarat coast using the Productivity and Susceptibility Analysis (PSA) approach. A total of 37 species, including pelagic (9), demersal (12) finfish, elasmobranch (2), shrimp (6), crabs/lobsters (3), and cephalopods (5), were evaluated based on their productivity and susceptibility to fishing pressures. The modified PSA (m-PSA) method included 10 productivity and 12 susceptibility attributes, with species vulnerability scores calculated using Euclidean distance. Results show a broad range of Vulnerability Index (VI), with species like Sepia elliptica (1.03) and Sepia pharaonis (1.12) classified as low vulnerable, reflecting their resilience due to high productivity and lower susceptibility. Conversely, species such as Panulirus polyphagus (1.97) and Rhinobatos annandalei (2.2) are highly vulnerable, mainly because of their lower growth rates and increased fishing pressure. The study highlights a general trend of moderate to high susceptibility among many species, especially those with slower reproductive cycles or high commercial value. Cephalopods show higher resilience with their short life cycles, while long-lived species, particularly elasmobranchs, are more susceptible to overexploitation. The findings emphasize the importance of adaptive management strategies, including species-specific conservation measures, periodic stock assessments, and catch limits to mitigate risks. The analysis also underlines the importance of protecting critical habitats to sustain fishery resources and the marine ecosystem. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the vulnerability of key marine species in Gujarat, stressing the urgent need for customized management approaches to ensure the long-term sustainability of the region’s fisheries and the livelihoods dependent on them.