Evaluation of Post-Harvest Quality Losses of Tuna Catch of Multiday Boats in Beruwala- Kalutara
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Date
2013
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Abstract
Fishery industry provides an important source of protein, livelihood for people and foreign
earnings. Fish is a highly perishable food, requiring proper handling, processing and
distribution, to be utilized in a cost effective and efficient manner. Physical losses, Biochemical
losses and Economical losses are three major types of fish post-harvest quality losses that cause
food insecurity, low income to fishers, processors and traders. So it is necessary to develop
systematic, practical tools for assessing post-harvest losses. The study was focused on Tuna
catch of Multiday (IMUL) fishing vessels at Beruwala fishery harbour in Kalutara district.
Fishermen who operated multiday fishing vessels were interviewed using a standardized
questionnaire to obtain the attitudes and opinion of fishermen regarding the quality control
aspects of fishery activities in study area within the period of 8 weeks during 5.30 am to 8.30
am. The minimum sample size among these IMUL vessels was selected using “Likert scale
(1932)” and “Moving Average” method, where the minimum sample size determined as the
sample size achieved the stable mean in Likert scale. Organoleptic surveys were used to identify
level of post-harvest losses. The post-harvest economic loss of the tuna fish was determined
according to the market value. The weights of undamaged and damaged fish which are used to
produce dry fish when landing were measured using the electronic platform balance. The weight
of the salted harvest of tuna and tuna like fish species were, 54 kg of Thunnus albacares, 12,244
kg of Katsuwonus pelamis, and 69 kg of Auxis thazard. When consider the fish harvest: weight
of the harvest per boat for yellow fin tuna is 199.65 kg, skipjack tuna 1515.19 kg, big eye tuna
0.01 kg, frigate tuna 6.10 kg and salted weights of the harvest per boat are 1.05 kg, 240.07 kg,
and 1.35 kg and post harvest loss percentages are 0.53%, 15.84%, and 22.15% respectively for
each fish species. When consider fish harvest for gear category, long line (LL), gill net (GN) ,
LL+GN and Others (other gears): total weight of harvest 3116 kg, 60000 kg, 23819 kg and
4443.5 kg per each gear category respectively. Total salted weight of harvest is 43 kg, 8882 kg,
3210 kg and 232 kg while estimated total income is Rs. 1,638,080/=: 15,226,325/=: 7,241,100/=
and 1,068,530/= per each gear category respectively. Income loss percentage is recorded as
0.34%, 5.23%, 6.58% and 1.43% for each gear category respectively. The effect of above gear
categories on total harvest, the total weight of trashed or damaged fish (used for salted) and the
total actual revenue for the fish harvest of IMUL vessels sample was analyzed using Analysis of
variance (ANOVA), (p < 0.05).It revealed, the gear categories significantly effect on total
harvest, the total weight of trashed or damaged fish (used for salted) and the total actual revenue
for the fish harvest of IMUL vessels. The level of fish post-harvest in Beruwala fishery harbor
was determined by using sensory characteristics available in quality control division of DFAR.
quality based
on quality level. ANOVA analysis and results confirmed that the gear categories significantly
contribute to the post-harvest economic loss by reducing the post-harvest quality of the tuna fish
in Beruwala fishery harbour. Results of the study confirmed that there is no any quantitative loss
in fish post-harvest.
Description
Keywords
Animal Sciences, Fish, fish Industry, Fisheries, Aquaculture and Fisheries, Aquatic Resources