A Study on the Availability of Marine Fishes in Digha Mohana Fish Landing Centre, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India

Author: Avik Bhanja, Pijush Payra, Basudev Mandal, Manas Das, Sayan Mandal and Tapas Bhunia

Journal Name:

Download PDF

Abstract

The present study was conducted at Digha Mohana fish landing centre, West Bengal & attempts this study to investigate the availability of marine finfish and shellfishes in the centre. The present survey was of 9 months duration. Major concerns of this study were based on a suitable scientific sampling process, because it was too hectic to collect the fish sample in the morning hours, due to extreme crowding conditions for trading. Beside this, in most cases tons of fishes unloaded in this fish landing centre and from there bulk quantity of fishes are distributed immediately. Among this large amount of fish, it was difficult to obtain samples of small-sized fishes. A total of 148 finfish and 15 shellfish species were recorded. The study reveals order Perciformes (25%) and order Decapoda (79%) were dominant for finfish and shellfish respectively. While in the finfish family Engraulidae (6%), Carangidae (6%) and in the shellfish family Penaeidae (43%) were dominant. Six types of marketing supply chains are available for the distribution of marine fish landings. About 2100 fishing crafts are used to depot their capture in the landing centre. Almost 85,000 fishermen are directly or indirectly involved in the operation of the landing centre.

Keywords

Mohana fish landing centre, Fish availability, Marketing supply chain, Crafts operating, Digha

Conclusion

Digha Mohana plays a vital role, not only in West Bengal’s economy but also in India’s economy. Out of the recorded species, different species are occasionally found during Monsoon or Winter season, because during that season, many species like hilsha, sardines etc. are migrated near the coastal area for breeding purposes. That peak seasons are important for available wide varieties of fish in the Digha fish landing centre. According to our survey, 5 species belong to the Endangered category, 2 species belong to the Critically Endangered category and 11 species belong to the Near Threatened category. So, there is a critical need for attention on a proper conservation strategy by the Govt. The Fishermen awareness programme is one of the good strategies for controlling the harvest of critical species.

References

-

How to cite this article

Avik Bhanja, Pijush Payra, Basudev Mandal, Manas Das, Sayan Mandal and Tapas Bhunia (2023). A Study on the availability of Marine Fishes in Digha Mohana Fish Landing Centre, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(4): 279-292.