Effects of Natural Habitats on Distribution and Fishery of Small Indigenous Fish in Sorada Reservoir, Ganjam, Odisha

Author: S.K. Bhuyan, J. Jyotiranjan, S. Nanda, D. Choudhary and Goodly Samal

Journal Name:

Download PDF

Abstract

Small Indigenous Fish Species (SIFs), encompass a group of fish species that has a size restriction of approximately 25 cm or 9 inches during the mature stages of development. A total of 17 fish species have been recorded from the reservoir during the period of study at Soroda reservoir, Odisha which are belonging to 5 orders and 9 families in case of general fisheries. A total of 12 species belonging to small indigenous fishes have been recorded during the study period related to 4 orders and 7 families. The present total production was of 52,833kg during the study period and the contribution of small indigenous fish species catch is 30% of total fish catch on an average. The peak production small indigenous fish are in the months of July to August. Amblypharyngodon mola (40 - 44%) catch was dominant in the reservoir and fetch good market value among the other SIFs. From the pooled data for all months, the deeper area with rocks and gravels habitat contributes about 45%, which was more productive habitat in comparison to shallow area without weed dominated habitat (31%) and shallow area with weed dominated habitat (24%). The deeper area with rocks and gravels habitat was the most productive habitat because major catch of fish species came from this habitat and breeding and nursery ground for many fish species.

Keywords

Reservoir, habitats, distribution, SIFs

Conclusion

The distribution and production of small indigenous fish (SIFs) which contribute more that 30% by weight of total fish production is higher in the deeper area habitat of the reservoir and Small indigenous fishes, Amblypharyngodon mola (40 - 44%) catch was dominant and fetch good market value. Though, the representation of higher catch of SIFs indicates that the population of economic important fish species like Indian major carps has declined. So it is found that the present fish production level can be increased substantially through adopting better management practices like , protecting the breeding grounds, mesh size regulation, release of recommended numbers of advance fingerlings or yearlings of Indian Major Carps and nursery grounds, implementation of closed season etc. Moreover, the complex interaction between economic attentions, ecological dynamics, and cultural practices shapes the divergent roles that SIS play in various fishing circumstances. The present research finding will help the policy makers of Department Of Fisheries, Government of Odisha. Further research like fisheries potential, productivity of the reservoirs a key aspect for effort and Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) calculation.

References

-

How to cite this article

S.K. Bhuyan, J. Jyotiranjan, S. Nanda, D. Choudhary and Goodly Samal (2021). Effects of Natural Habitats on Distribution and Fishery of Small Indigenous Fish in Sorada Reservoir, Ganjam, Odisha. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 13(4): 1340-1344