Author(s): Ranjeet K, Sureshkumar S, Arunjith T.S, Hakeem A.B

Abstract: Marine ornamental fish industry is dominated by wild caught reef fishes. In India many potentially ornamental fish species are discarded as by catches of trawling. A study was planned to investigate the degree of physical damages caused due to trawling and subsequent survivability in a captive environment. About 57 species of fishes belonging to 32 families and 38 genera were recorded in trawl by-catch, of which 8 species had a uniform distribution throughout the study period. The death on arrival (DOA) was high for most species. However, Epinephelus diacanthus, Sufflamen capistratus, Scatophagus argus and Therapon jarbua were found to be more sturdy fishes. The major cause of mortality in these fishes was damages especially to body and fins. It was estimated that 36% of fishes entering Ponnani harbour has one or the other form of physical injury. The present study demonstrates a simple technique which enables easy rearing and transport of fishes in live condition from sea to harbour and rearing them under captivity till they are marketed. The study also studies the possibility for developing effective marketing channels based on consumer preference for these fishes ensuring better returns to the fishermen as well as conserving the valuable marine resource.

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