Conservation of seagrass beds with special reference to associated species and fishery resources

Abstract

The southeast coast of India bordering Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay has luxuriant growth of seagrass beds which sustain good fisheries and is a biodiversity hotspot. Many fishers living along the coast depend on these resources for their livelihood. Several species of invertebrates and vertebrates fully depend on the seagrass resources for their survival and sustenance. In this paper, the diversity of species commonly associated with the seagrass beds and their present status is presented followed by the fisheries associated with this ecosystem. The type of fishing activities including the details of crafts, gears, number of fishers involved and catch statistics are presented. The main objective of this approach is to understand how the fishing activities influence the ecosystem and fishermen. Underwater monitoring and visual observations were documented through photographs and videos. Artisanal fishing activities such as bottom set gillnet, push net, lead-fish trap net and shore seine are in detail discussed and the conservation measures which are urgently required are also presented