Author(s): V Balaji and V Sekar

Abstract: Fishing occupations is one of the most powerful revenue and employment generator of fishing industry. Keezhathottam is one of the minor fish landing centre of Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu. Small scale fishing practice was carried out in this village using fibre boats. The study was carried out for the period of one year from June 2017 - May 2018. A Total of 62 varieties of commercially important fin and shell fishes are reported, which belongs to 49 genera, 35 families, and 12 orders. Maximum number of 7 species recorded in family Engraulidae followed by Leiognathidae, Portunidae, Penaeidae each represented by 4 species. The anchovy, ponyfish, croaker, sardine, sea bass and shrimps are most common species recorded throughout the year, whereas the overpriced fishes of sea bass (Lates calcarifer), silver sillago (Sillago sihama) and tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) also found in all the month. Among the 35 families, Engraulidae is the most dominant species. Order Perciformes and Clupeiformes were having more numbers of species compare to others. The low cost fishes such as Leiognathids, Jarbua terapon, Pony fish, flathead, flat fish and catfish are selling for dry fish and poultry farm. Increase of fibre boats after Tsunami 2004 has been dramatically changes income and fishing methods in Keezhathottam village. Inferences of the present study indicates the abundance of commercially expensive and low value fishes in small scale fishery industry in Palk Bay ecosystem in Keezhathottam village. The present study also showed the overall percentage composition of shell and fin fish catch, variations in species richness. The small scale fishery in Keezhathottam is in florishing stage with high fin and shell fish catch. Good fishing practices needs to be followed to sustain the resources for a longterm.

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