By Catch Fishing: An Indian Game Explanation
Title: "Sustainable渔业: Battle Against By Catch"
An educational game guide to understanding by catch fishing in India
1. What is By Catch Fishing?
By catch fishing refers to the unintentional capture of non-target species during the pursuit of primary commercial fish. In India, where traditional methods like trawling, longlines, and gillnets dominate, this issue is critical. For example, a single拖网可能同时捕获目标鱼(如马鲛鱼)和海龟、鲸鲨、海鸟等受保护生物,破坏海洋生态平衡.
2. Why Does It Matter?
Ecological Damage: Over 40% of India’s marine species are at risk due to by catch (Source: National fishworkers’ Forum). Sea turtles (e.g., Olive Ridley) often get entangled in nets, threatening their endangered populations.
Economic Loss: India loses ~$1.2 billion annually from damaged gear and legal penalties for illegal fishing.
Food Security: By catch depletes smaller fish stocks, affecting communities reliant on small-scale fisheries.
3. Indian Solutions in Action
The game highlights India’s innovative efforts:
Circle Hooks: Used in trawling to reduce sea turtle mortality by 70% in states like Kerala.
Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs): Mandatory in trawlers since 2009 to release turtles.
Community-led渔场 closures: The "Fisheries Management Area" model in Tamil Nadu promotes sustainable practices.
4. Player Objectives
Players manage a virtual coastal village, balancing profit and sustainability:
Choose渔具 type: Compare earnings vs. ecological impact (e.g., gillnets vs. circle hooks).
Resolve conflicts: Negotiate with fishworkers, government agencies, and NGOs to fund TEDs or protect nesting sites.

Track data: See real-time stats on turtle populations, fish stocks, and carbon footprint.
5. Game Lessons
Regulations: Learn about India’s Fisheries Act, 1991 and the role of the Central Marine Fishery Research Institute (CMFRI).
Technology: Experiment with AI-powered drones to monitor by catch hotspots.
Cultural Impact: Meet characters like Amina, a fisherwoman advocating for women-led eco-friendly cooperatives.
6. Final Challenge
In the climax, players must prevent a proposed deep-sea trawling project in the Andaman Islands. Use strategies like:
Advocacy campaigns to sway local leaders.
Partner with CMFRI to introduce alternative livelihoods (e.g., seaweed farming).
Track long-term outcomes: If successful, 30% more marine species return to the area.
7. Real-World Connection

Post-game, players receive a "Sustainable Fisher" certificate and links to:
Indian Fisherfolk’s rights portal (https://fisherfolk.in)
CMFRI’s by catch reduction toolkit
UN FAO guidelines for responsible fishing
Tagline: "Catch more, harm less – Play your part in India’s blue revolution!"
This game format educates players on by catch through localized scenarios, empowering them to mirror real-world conservation efforts while engaging with India’s rich marine biodiversity.
|