Exploited Fishery Resources of Muvattupuzha River, Kerala, India

Abstract

The exploited fishery resources of Muvattupuzha
river have been estimated as 45.01 t during 2009-10.
Twenty three fish species belonging to 6 orders and
20 genera contributed to the fishery of this river.
Highest landings was recorded during post-monsoon
season (21.87 t) followed by pre-monsoon
season (15.77 t) and lowest in monsoon (7.38 t).
Family Cyprinidae ranked first among fish groups
with a numerical strength of 6 species. The landings
were represented by two endangered (Hypselobarbus
curmuca and Tor khudree) and one vulnerable
(Horabagrus brachysoma) fish species. Gibelion catla
was the only non-native species represented in the
landings and Clarias gariepinus were the non-native
species represented in the landings. Wallago attu
(7.62 t), Labeo dussumieri (7.21 t), H. curmuca (4.90 t),
Channa striatus (4.6 t) and H. brachysoma (3.67 t) were
the dominant fishes in the landings. Among the
landing centres, Mulakulam accounted for 32% to
the total fish landings, followed by Kalampoor
(27%). Gillnets (88%) contributed the major bulk of
the fish landings followed by seine nets (11%). Catch
per unit effort recorded in gillnet for major species
were W. attu (0.11 kg h-1), Channa striata (0.08 kg h-
1), T. khudree (0.08 kg h-1), G. catla (0.08 kg h-1) and
C. marulius (0.07 kg h-1). In seines, highest catch per
unit effort was recorded for C. striata (0.28 kg h-1)
followed by C. marulius (0.20 kg h-1) and H.
brachysoma (0.08 kg h-1).