Status of Exploited Fishery Resources of Azhikode Estuary, Kerala, India
Status of Exploited Fishery Resources of Azhikode Estuary, Kerala, India
Date
2011
Authors
Harikrishnan, M.
Vipin, P.M.
Kurup, B. Madhusoodana
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Society of Fisheries Technologists (India)Cochin
Abstract
The exploited fishery resources in Azhikode estuary have been quantified as 360.02 t and
424.80 t during 2005-06 and 2006-2007, respectively, with a mean annual catch of 392.2 t.
Finfishes accounted for 47% of total landings, followed by molluscs (32%) and crustaceans
(21%). Thirty finfish species belonging to 18 families, 6 species of penaeid shrimps, 2 species
of palaemonid prawns, 2 species of crabs and 4 species of bivalves contributed to the exploited
fishery. Catfishes, mullets, Gerres spp., pearlspots and snappers were the major groups of finfish
species while Metapenaeus dobsoni and Fenneropenaeus indicus formed the bulk of shrimp
landings. Scylla serrata represented the bulk of crab landings of 8-12 t. The catch of Villorita
cyprinoides from the estuary has been estimated to be between 120 and 135 t. Highest landings
were observed during pre-monsoon period in both years (55.32-63.78%), followed by postmonsoon
(27.63-25.76%) and the lowest was during monsoon (17.06-10.46%). More than 50%
of fish catch in the estuary was contributed by fixed engines such as Chinese dip nets and
stake nets. Finfishes accounted for the highest production per ha during both the years
(0.68-0.83 t ha-1yr-1) followed by clams (0.45-0.56 t ha-1yr-1) and shrimps and prawns
(0.27- 0.34 t ha-1yr-1). Fish production in the estuary showed a steady increase from monsoon
to pre monsoon and majority of species supporting lucrative fishery in the estuary showed
maximum occurrence during high saline months
Description
Keywords
Azhikode estuary, fish production, fishing gears, fishing seasons
Citation
Fishery Tech 48(1):19-24