Stock Assessment, Market Trends, and Export Potential of Cephalopod Fisheries (Loligo duvaucelii and Sepia pharaonis) in Visakhapatnam, India
M. Ratna Raju *
Department of Zoology, College of Science and Technology, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam-530 003, India.
B. Krishna
Lecturer in Zoology, Government Degree College (W), Alluri Sitharama Raju District, Marripalem-531 116, India.
M. Raju
Department of Zoology, College of Science and Technology, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam-530 003, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Cephalopods, a class of molluscs including Squids, Cuttlefish have become an important part of India's marine fisheries sector. Over the last few decades, the cephalopod fishery in Indian waters has seen substantial growth due to increasing demand in both domestic and international markets. The main target squid species Loligo duvaucelii (Indian squid) and cuttle fish species Sepia pharaonis (Pharaoh cuttlefish), Sepia aculeata, Sepiella inermis and Sepia brevimana. The present study deals with the stock assessment, market trends and export potential of loligo and sepia species from Visakhapatnam fishing harbour. The present study was conducted for a period of four months i.e. from December 2024 to March 2025. Weekly and fortnight data was analysed, and it is evident from the present study findings that, the maximum stock (1679kg.) of Loligo was observed during the month of December 2024. Similarly maximum stock (1913kg) of sepia was recorded in the month of February 2025. The variation in stock recruitment maybe due to environmental changes like oceanic temperature etc. A brief description of market price trends also discussed in this paper.
Keywords: Cephalopods, cuttle fish, squid, oceanic temperature