Fishmeal industry could tap into pearly hairtail stock, say scientists

Scientists at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute have recommended tapping ribbon fish variety pearly hairtails, a non-conventional deep-sea resource found in the south-eastern Arabian Sea, for the reduction industry. “Pearly hairtails, encountered between 200- and 600-metre depth, have found enthusiastic acceptance from the fishmeal industry”, said a paper published by CMFRI scientists recently. The considerably huge assemblage of pearly hairtails offers a potential opportunity to deep-sea trawlers to diversify catch to improve returns in the midst of problems such as increased fuel cost, said the paper. The paper from CMFRI scientists, lead authored by Abdussamad E.M., said deep-sea trawlers from Kerala’s southern districts, targeting shrimps and cephalopods, had reported catching pearly hairtails on their return trips to enhance earnings.