Carbon footprint of marine fisheries: life cycle analysis from Visakhapatnam

The contribution of marine fisheries in Visakhapatnam at all stages of its life cycle to climate change during 2010-2012 was studied by determining its carbon footprint. Pre-harvest phase consisted of vessel construction and maintenance and provision of fishing gear; harvest phase included harvest from mechanized and motorized craft and post-harvest phase involved fish transportation and fish processing. The functional unit selected was 1 kg of marine fish to the consumer. Fuel and electricity consumption was 0.48 1/kg and 0.255 kWh/kg of fish. The C and CO2 emitted were 0.382 kg C/kg and 1.404 kg CO2/kg of fish. The highest consumption of energy and the highest emissions of CO2 were observed from the harvest phase. The fuel and electricity consumption and C and CO2 emissions were high for mechanized landings and low for motorized landings. Reduction in energy consumption and subsequent emissions is possible in mechanized craft by increasing the fuel efficiency of marine diesel engines, controlling craft speed, using large propeller with lower revolutions and reducing the craft drag.