Occurrence of Venomous Aquatic Organisms as Bycatch and their Suggested Management Measures in Dolnets Operated in Selected Creeks of Maharashtra

By : S. Abuthagir Iburahim , Suraj Kumar Pradhan , T. Nirmal , Chennuri Sathish , Bala Mhadgut , Swapnil Tandel

Page No: 37-43

Abstract
In India, Maharashtra is an important hub for the operation of dolnets. Dolnets, a kind of non-selective bag net are the second most revenue generating gear in the state. There is an increased habitat degradation observed in creek ecosystem due to human interventions. Fishermen of creek areas dominated by subsistence fishing, who are more vulnerable to the venomous organism contact during fishing operations and they lack in knowledge about the conservation status of some venomous aquatics lack. Though various research has been done regarding venomous aquatic species and their interaction in marine fishermen nets, such studies in creeks are limited. A study was conducted in Karanja and Bhayander creek of Maharashtra where dolnets are the topmost contributor to the fishery. On-board fortnight sampling was done in this study area and the opinions of fishermen’s about the conservation status of poisonous species were collected from August 2016 to May 2017. A total of 4 sea snakes, 2 stinging jellyfish, 1 stinging catfish were observed all along the study period. The study reflects that there is a lack of conservation awareness against the venomous aquatic creatures especially in reference to sea snakes and bycatch issues of these species are to be addressed by involving fishermen for further management.

Authors :
S. Abuthagir Iburahim, Suraj Kumar Pradhan, T. Nirmal, Chennuri Sathish
Ph.D.Student, ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai-400061

Bala Mhadgut : SRF, ICAR-CMFRI Research Centre, Mumbai-400061

Swapnil Tandel : Principal Scientist, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai-400061
 

DOI: http://doi.org/10.32381/JAT.2019.34.1-2.4