KSCSTE Project Report · 2020. 4. 24. · KSCSTE Project Report 2019 3 1. INTRODUCTION It has been...

KSCSTE Project Report 2019

1

Project title

SECOND YEAR PROGRESS REPORT OF THE RESEARCH PROJECT ENTITLED

“STUDIES ON THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FISHING COMMUNITY

OF THE COASTAL AREA OF THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DISTRICT DUE TO THE

CHANGES IN LAND USE”.

File No : No. 025/E&E/14CSTE

Name of PI : Dr. S. PREMJITH

Address : Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Development Studies

Trivandrum.

Phone: 9446490359

Broad area of research : Conservation and Management

Specific area : Restoration and protection of coastal resources

Date of start (1st phase) : June 2016

(2nd phase) : July 2018

Total cost of project : 17,07400 (first year-753800, second year-561800,

Third year-391800)


2

Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Development Studies (RGIDS) - Overview

Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Development Studies (RGIDS) is a non Governmental research

organization, registered under the Travancore Cochin Literary Scientific Charitable Societies

Registration Act, 1955. RGIDS was started in 2005 in memory of Shri. Rajiv Gandhi, former

Prime Minister of India. The RGIDS envisages to join the league of leading centers of excellence

in socio-economic , science research, teaching and training in development studies so as to

address the development challenges in tune with the changing needs of the economy and society,

by reorienting its research priorities and strengthening and diversifying its teaching and training

programmes with a view to providing policy inputs and capacity-building in collaboration with

other institutions of social-science research. Over the years, RGIDS has diversified its

researchactivities including fisheries. Under the fisheries programme, research project entitled

“Studies on the sustainable development of the fishing community of the coastal area of

Thiruvananthapuram district due to the changes in land use” was sanctioned by Kerala State

Council for Science, Technology and Environment SasthraBhavan, Thiruvananthapuram in the

year 2016.


3

1. INTRODUCTION

It has been reported that the marine fisheries in India particularly Kerala over the years

has declined considerably due to over capitalization and climatic changes. Moreover the fishing

in inshore waters has become intense competitive over years due to the adoption of innovative

fishing technologies. The rate of transformation of mechanization and motorization of traditional

fishing crafts has been so dramatic since five decades. The impact of mechanization has caused

severe threats over the livelihood of the traditional fisherfolk of India with intense conflicts who

concentrate their fishing in the inshore waters. The mechanization has been so diverse and

complex. The Kerala Government has decided to go ahead with the project of Vizhinjam seaport

which, according to marine experts, would be an ecological disaster for fishing communities,

eco-tourism and biodiversity of Trivandrum coast. This has mooted the fisherfolk to be more

concerned over the resources. The follow up was the fisherfolk at various pockets to realize that

the resources have to be curtailed for the sustainable catches. Enough and more package of

practices concentrating on conserving the resource has been recommended by the research

system to control the over exploitation and the same has well received by the fisherfolk only at

certain pockets but it is not at the expected level. There is enough number of reasons to inform

why the fishermen folk do not adhere to the fisheries regulation acts envisaged by the

Government. However, there are some cases that have been reported and documented from

various hydro climatic zones. The number of cases is very meager in Indian fisheries sector and

same has to be well documented and critically analyzed. The cases where the fisherfolk have

taken their own initiatives to conserve the resources in Kerala have been documented. Three

cases have been recorded. First case, the resolution method followed by the traditional and

mechanized fishermen groups fishing in the same area. Second case, the fishermen of Kerala


4

state restricting the catch of juveniles and the Third case is establishing artificial reefs. The

results of the in-depth analysis of the selected three cases inform that the fisherfolk have been

self induced rather on based compulsion for taking initiative over the conservation (Premjith,

2010). Therefore, protection and rejuvenation of coastal natural resources become an important

aspect of coastal zone management from the view of natural, man-made disasters and over

exploitation.

Fishing communities in India are not homogenous, as they belong to different castes and

have their distinct geographical, social, cultural, economic and traditional structures, depending

on the coast, where they populate. Poovar panchayat in Parassala block of Thiruvananthapuram

district has a total area of 7.34 sq.km with a population of 25.6 thousands of which nearly two

fifths are Hindus about one third are Christians and more than one – fourth are Muslims. Almost

60 % of the Christians are fisherfolk. It has two coastal wards predominantly inhabited by the

fishermen community.

Improvement of environment, alternative methods for increasing coastal resources,

transplantation of traditional fishing practices, socio-cultural activities, socio economic

development of coastal communities, eco-tourism and human rights of fisherman community of

Thiruvananthapuram coast are the major priority of this project and the project is “field and

extension” oriented one.


5

2. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY.

1. To study the socio-economic impact on coastal villages of Thiruvananthapuram district

due to the changes (reclamation) in land use.

2. To prepare an inventory on the commercially important finfishes, shellfishes and sea

weeds of coastal area of Thiruvananthapuram.

3. To study the present environmental quality (hydro-biological parameters) of Poovar

estuary with special reference to eco-tourism and harbour.

4. To study the alternative methods including sea ranching for increasing coastal

resources production through responsible fishing, self induced conservation package and coastal

aquaculture practices in coastal waters to compensate the loss of fishing ground/breeding

grounds due to the changes in land use.


6

3. DIVERSITY OF FISH

3 a. FIN FISH RESOURCES OF POOVAR ESTUARY

The investigation conducted during the year 2016-17 showed that 28 fish species,

belonging to the 21 families are present in Poovar estuary. Out of 28 fishes, 9 fishes have

economic importance at Poovar area (Table 1). It includes, Arius arius, Channa marulius,

Channa striata, Chanos chanos, Cirrhinus mrigala, Etroplus suratensis, Lutjanus

argentimaculatus, Mugil cephalus and Oreochromis mossambicus.

Species composition in the Poovar eastuary resulted that Perciformes dominated with

other groups represented with 16 species and it almost more than half of the total species. The

distribution pattern of fishes in the Poovar estuary is mainly based on salinity gradient since the

estuary is coming under bat-built category. Some marine fishes like Arius sp, Caranx sp, Gerres

filamentosus, Sillago sihama, Monodactylus argenteus, Terapon sp, and Valamugil are entered in

to the estuary during the time of rainy season when the sand bar was opened. Monodactylus

argenteus (Silver moony) is an attractive and valuable ornamental species under the family

monodactilidae presently seen in the Poovar estuary zone.

Fig.1 : Diagram showing species composition of fishes in Poovar estuary

AnguilliformesBeloniformesClupeiformesCypriniformesCyprinodontiformesElopiformesGonorynchiformesMugiliformesPerciformesSiluriformes


7

Table 1 : Fish diversity in Poovar estuary

Sl.No. Species name family order IUCN Status*

1 Ambassis gymnocephalus Ambassidae Perciformes LC

2 Anguilla bicolor bicolor Anguillidae Anguilliformes LC

3 Aplocheilus lineatus Aplocheilidae Cyprinodontiformes LC

4 Arius arius Ariidae Siluriformes LC

5 Arius subrostratus Ariidae Siluriformes NE

6 Caranx spp. Carangidae Perciformes NE

7 Channa marulius Channidae Perciformes LC

8 Channa striata Channidae Perciformes LC

9 Chanos chanos Chanidae Gonorynchiformes NE

10 Cirrhinus mrigala Cyprinidae Cypriniformes LC

11 Dawkinsia filamentosa Cyprinidae Cypriniformes LC

12 Etroplus maculatus Cichlidae Perciformes LC

13 Etroplus suratensis Cichlidae Perciformes LC

14 Glossogobius giuris Gobiidae Perciformes LC

15 Hyporhamphus spp. Hemiramphidae Beloniformes NE

16 Lutjanus argentimaculatus Lutjanidae Perciformes NE

17 Megalops cyprinoides Megalopidae Elopiformes DD

18 Mugil cephalus Mugilidae Mugiliformes LC

19 Oreochromis mossambicus Cichlidae Perciformes NT

20 Terapon jarbua Terapontidae Perciformes LC

21 Valamugil speigleri Mugilidae Mugiliformes NE

22 Gerres filamentosus Gerreidae Perciformes LC

23 Leiognathus equulus Leiognathidae Perciformes LC

24 Monodactylus argenteus Monodactylidae Perciformes NE

25 Nematalosa nasus Clupeidae Clupeiformes LC

26 Scatophagus argus Scatophagidae Perciformes LC

27 Siganus javus Siganidae Perciformes NE

28 Sillago sihama Sillaginidae Perciformes NE


8

The fishing gears operated to exploit fishes and crustaceans in the inland waters of Kerala

consists of two types of stationary gears, 28 types of gill nets, 17 varieties of seines, 7 kinds of

cast nets and 9 kinds of lines.Simple Gill net and Line fishing are the fishing techniques widely

practiced in Poovar estuary by local and stranger fishermen from Tamil Nadu and Andra

Pradesh. Gill net is the most common and major gear widely used in different depth ranges in the

Poovar estuary zone. A simple gill net consist of the float line, gravel lines (side ropes), floats,

sinkers, buoys and buoy lines. Other than mesh size, the most important characteristics of a gill

net are its visibility and stretching ability of meshes. Etroplus fishery is the major fishery in the

Poovar water throughout the year. Other important fishery caught by gill nets in Poovar region

includes prawn fishery (Penaeus spp. and Macrobrachium rossenbergii), mugil fishery (Mugil

cephalus, Liza parsia.etc) and crab fishery (Scylla serrata, S.olivacea).

Line fishing is basically composed of a line and a hook. Hook and lines are more efficient

in many cases for catching fish than gill nets in Poovar region because of disturbance of stony

bottom and other hard waste at water bodies. Hooks which are used in hand line generally small

in size than long line. Monofilament nylon yarns with 0.3 -0.4 mm width and approximately 20-

25 m long are more stable for long line fishing, such types widely used in Poovar estuary. In the

study area live baits likes prawns, earthworms, small fish, etc are used for line fishing. Target

species includes Lutjanus argentimaculatus (chemballikkora), Arius arius (thedu), Mugil

cephalus, Channa striata, Channa marulius (cherumeen), Etroplus suratensis, etc.

The northern side of the Poovar estuary is occupied with tourist resorts. The drainage

channels from the resorts and AVM canal, used for retting activities, are the main sources for the


9

flow of sewage and domestic wastes into the estuary. This leads to the extensive pollution and

large scale depletion of fishery resources causing unprecedented anxiety in the fishery sector.

Present investigation shows that wild populations of Etroplus suratensis are subject to

various pressures and diseases like septicemia caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa by the

disposal of solid and liquid wastes and the discharge of human fecal matter from adjacent

habitations and an increasing number of tourism resorts and houseboats, which are going beyond

the carrying capacity of the backwaters/estuaries.

An understanding of the finfish resources, fishing craft and gear employed in a water body is a

pre-requisite for the proper management of the fisheries in the Poovar region.


10

3 b. DIVERSITY OF MARINEFISHES IN POOVAR COAST

Marine fish landings of India estimated 3.83 million tonnes in 2017 with marginal

increase of 5.6% compared to 2016 and Kerala has the third largest producer with 5.83 lakh

tonnes. Fishing for finfishes along the Poovar coast used to be carried out by traditional fishing

graft and gears. Nowadays mechanized vessels operating modern gears like trawl net, purse

seine, ring seine, etc throughout Kerala coast except Thiruvananthapuram coast line.

A total of 618 marine fish species were landed along the west coast of India with

maximum numbers landed along the Tamil Nadu followed by Kerala (CMFRI, 2017). The

present investigation in the study revealed that 45 species of finfishes are found in Poovar and

caught by four major artisanal gears namely gill net, hook and line and two forms of inshore and

offshore encircling gear. Fishery resources and selectivity of gears in Poovar has been recorded

by sample collection from the major landing centers along the coast and field survey

respectively.

Identified fishes belonging to the 21 family and based on the species richness, family

Carangidae was dominant with 13 species (28.88%) followed by Scombridae 6 species

(13.33%), Clupidae and Engraulidae 3 species with each family (6.66%) and miscellaneous

species are distributed in other 17 families.

Ockhi cyclone was affected in the seasonal marine fishing of Kerala due to the loss of

fishing days with 31% decrease in landings compared to the previous year and economic loss

estimated rupees of 585 crores, 821 crores at landing centre and retail market respectively

(CMFRI, 2018).

Maximum species diversity was observed during post-monsoon period followed by pre-

monsoon and monsoon. We also attempt to collect the data on the availability of fishes from


11

sample fishermen. Among the different marine fishery resources landed along the Kerala coast

the oil sardine (Sardinella longiceps) and Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) have the first

and second position respectively. Fishery of these two species in the Poovar coast is very poor

due to the absence of modern mechanized craft and gears like Purse seine, Ring seine, Trawl net,

and boat seine.

Saleela et. al (2015) studied that fishery of Poovar coast mostly represented 99

percentage of fin fishes comprising of 43 species. At present, seasonal fishery observed as post-

monsoon ranked first with 20 finfish resource, followed by pre-monsoon (13 fishes) and

monsoon (5 fishes). During post monsoon season, out of 20 resources there are 12 species caught

by offshore seine followed by gillnet, shore seine and hooks and line with 10, 9 and 6 species

respectively. Stolephorus commersonii, Decapterus russelli, Rastrelliger kanagurta and

Sardinella gibbosa are the major fishery resources during this period. Fishery resources are

decline in monsoon season and fishery restricted with five major species namely Mugil cephalus,

Mene maculata, Megalapsis cordyla, Decapterus russelli and Rastrelliger kanagurta. Diversity

increases in premonsoon season with 13 fishery important species.

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Premonsoon

Monsoon

Postmonsoon

Fig. 2. Seasonal fishery resources of different gears


12

Most of them (nearly 90%) viewed that species like Sardinella spp. (Sardine),

Rastrelliger kanagurta (Indian Mackerel), Stolephorus indicus(Indian anchovy), Megalaspis

cordyla (Torpedo scad/ Torpedo trevally), Chanos chanos (milk fish), Lactarius lactarius (False

Trevally/White fish), Pampus argenteus (Pomfret), Lepturacanthus savala and Scomberomorus

commersonii (Seer Fish, King-fish). Although majority of the species caught during pre-

monsoon season was small sized and economically low value fish. The respondents also argued

that nowadays there were remarkable fall in the availability of high market value species like

Lepturacanthus savala, Lactarius lactarius (False Trevally/White fish), Pampus argenteus and

Scomberomorus commersonii.

Catamaran is a simple craft made up of three wooden logs of Erythrina variegata

(Fabaceae) or Bombax ceiba (Bombacaceae) and tied together with a strong rope. The average

size of catamarans in the Poovar coast about 6 m length, 0.7 m width with fusiform shape

suitable for against strong wave action in the sea. At present there are 40 catamarans are used for

target big fishes including Carangids, Tuna, Seer fishes, Dolphin fish and Barracuda. Caranx

sexfasciatus, Caranx ignobilis, Gnathanodon speciosus, Thunnus albacares, Scomberomorous

Carangidae Ambassidae ScombridaeChirocentridae Cynoglossidae SerranidaeLeiognathidae Lethrinidae MenidaeMugilidae Stromatidae ClupidaeSiganidae Sillagnidae SphyraenidaeEngraulidae Coryphaenidae TrichiuridaeLactariidae Nemipteridae Priacanthidae

Fig. 3. Composition of species richness in family


13

commersonii, Coryphaena hippurus, Sphyraena barracuda are the noted fishes caught by the

craft and gear combination of catamarans and hooks and line at offshore zone. Rastrelliger

kanagurta, Auxis spp. and Scomberomorous spp. are the commercially important fishes coming

under the family Scombridae, Lethrinus lentjan is the most common fish, found in Poovar

throughout the year and inhabitant at rocky areas of the coast caught by both gillnet and hooks

and line. Traditional catamarans have almost entirely been replaced by medium size plywood

boat operated by outboard engine with the horse power of 25HP, 9.9 HP and enhance the

efficiency of offshore fishing.

Hooks and line are more efficient active fishing gears made up of a set of different size

galvanized or aluminum coated iron, brass or stainless steel and 0.2-04 mm nylon monofilament.

Luther et. al, (1985) noted some Stolephorus species are reared cages made of nylon netting at

south west coast the purpose of baits for hooks and line fishing. At presently introduction of

artificial baits and luminous fibrous filaments like colorful baits are much prefer than live baits

in line fishing at Poovar. Gopakumar and Sadasiva (1989) reported that 70% of the total tuna

0

20

40

60

80

100

Fig. 4. No. of species with percentage composition in different gears

No.ofspecies

% outof 45species


14

landings in the state from the coastal fishery along Trivandrum district and the gears employed

by drift net and hooks and lines.

Gill nets are the dominant gear in Vizhinjam and trawl net is not operated. The selectivity

for gill nets differs from that of bag nets. Gill nets of larger and smaller mesh are expected to

catch larger fish and smaller fish respectively. Fishermen in Poovar make a Trammel net, a

combination of both small and large mesh for increase fishing efficiency of gillnet. Out of 45

species caught by each gear in Poovar coast resulted that gillnet with various mesh size is more

efficient than others with percentage composition of 82.22 % (37 species) followed by shore

seine of 51.11% with 23 species, Hooks and line of 44.44% with 20 species and offshore seine of

40 % with 18 species.

Shore seine is a type of traditional, encircling and highly active gear widely used in the

entire coast of Poovar locally known ‘Karamadi’or ‘ Kambavala’ Most of the fishing gears

operated in two types of crafts, motorised plywood or fibre glass boats and catamarans at 5 to 7

m depth within 0.5 km to 3 km from the sea shore. Sometimes the shoal of Pampus argenteus,

Sardinella gibbosa, Stolephorus commersonii are caught by shore seine.

Fig. 5. ‘Karamadi’ operation in Poovar.

Now the people are depending offshore, travelling for 2 to 3 hours covering about 64

nautical miles from the coast. 1136 motorized plywood and out of these 110 units has been


15

operated with outboard engine. The offshore boat seines locally known as ‘Thattumadi’ is

another main fishing gear operated at night in fibre glass boats with 8.5 to 11.0 m OAL.

Decapterus russelli, Indian scad is dominated fishes in the operation of boat seine followed by

other small pelagic fishes.

During the post monsoon season there are 8 species contributed juvenile fishery in

Poovar coast. Decapterus russelli (Indian scad) and Rastrelliger kanagurta (Mackerel) are the

major juvenile group followed by Carangoides malabaricus and Caranx sexfasciatus. Juveniles

of Mugil cephalus, Valamugil speigleri and Caranx ignobilis are distributed throughout Poovar

coast and sometime their shoal enter into the estuary. Juveniles of Ribbon fishes, Trichiurus

lepturus have high demand as dryfish in small scale industry.

Fig. 6. Juveniles of Rastrelliger kanagurtaand Decapterus russelli at Poovar landing centre

Natural calamities such as sea erosion do not cause much damage in the village do to its

land contour of continental shelf. During rainy season especially in south west monsoon and

north east monsoon when the sea becomes rough, the fisher workers are forced to remain idle

and live under conditions of severe poverty. Nowadays, mechanization has almost swept out the

traditional mode of technology. The villagers are of the opinion that the construction of the

International Seaport and reduction of subsidies, globalization polices of the state government


16

and depletion of fish diversity and resources would have a negative impact of the economy of

fishing community of Poovar. But the younger generation find the usage of traditional

catamarans and knowledge in fishing are unattractive and uneconomical.

Table 2. Shows Marine fishes of Poovar coast


17

4. FISH PROCESSING

INVOLVEMENT OF FISHERWOMEN IN POST HARVEST SECTOR, IN

THIRUVANNATHAPURAM DISTRICT OF KERALA

A study was conducted among a sample of 117 fisherwomen drawn through multi stage

random sampling method from the fishing villages of Pozhiyur, Puthiyathura, Pulluvila,

Adimalathura, Karumkulam and Poovar located in the southern district of Thiruvananthapuram,

Kerala, which has the largest number of fishing villages in the State. The district of

Thiruvananthapuram harbours, 42 traditional fishing villages. Of these the fishing villages,

women involved in dry fish making were selected for the study. The average age of the

fisherwomen were observed to be 53 years. The studies showed that the village of Pulluvila had

the largest number of illiterates (90 percent), followed by Adimalathura (88.88 percent) and

Poovar (60 percent). Karumkulam fishing village had the largest number of fisherwomen in the

primary level of education (71.40 percent) followed by Puthiyathura (61.50 percent). Secondary

level of education was constituted by 5.5 percent of fisherwomen in Puthiyathura where as

Pulluvila showed 5 percent followed by Karumkulam (4.7 percent).

With respect to marital status of the fisherwomen, it was observed that, all the sample

respondent fisher women in the villages of Puthiyathura and Karumkulam were married (100

percent) followed by 94.40 percent in Adimalathura. Unmarried fisherwomen among sample

respondents constituted 20 percent in Pozhiyur and 10 percent in Pulluvila.

It is interesting to note that fisherwomen of Pozhiyur and Puthiyathura were involved in

shore seine fishing (“Kambavala”in local parlance). The fisherwomen provided the necessary

manpower in shore seine operations along the shore wherein 50-100 individuals are required to

pull the ropes attached to the nets at sea and to drag the harvested fishes to the shore. Dry fish


18

making activities are the major revenue of the fisherwomen in the studied area, besides poultry

keeping, rearing of livestock, petty tea shops and farming of vegetable crops as in Poovar and

Karumkulam. Apart from above revenue sources they are being employed as laborers in the

prestigious 100 days work employment programme, provided by the Mahatma Gandhi National

Rural Employment Guarantee Act ( MGNREGA) of the Government of India. The present study

revealed that 100 percent of fisherwomen in the villages of Pulluvila and Karumkulam are

predominantly occupied in dry fish making and selling whereas the women of Pozhiyur fishing

village represents 95 percent. It was observed that fisherwomen of Puthiyathura (50.03percent)

were involved in shore seine fishing, and selling of dry fish, 27.77 percent involved exclusively

in dry fish making and 22.20 percent were involved in the combined activities of fishing, dry fish

making and sale of the produce as well. In Adimalathura fishing village, dry fish making and

selling was the major activity undertaken by 82.56 percent of fisherwomen and dry fish making

per se undertaken only by 17.44 percent of the women. In Poovar fishing village, 25 percent

were involved in dry fish making while the remaining 75 percent were engaged both in dry fish

making as well as selling of the produce. With respect to nativity of the respondents, it was

found that, 100 percent were resident fisherwomen in Puthiyathura and Poovar fishing villages,

and the same was accounted by 25 percent and 10 percent, in Pulluvila and Pozhiyur, fishing

villages respectively.

The annual income of the fisherwomen from dry fish making from these fishing villages

ranged from Rs. 9600 to 24,000/year since dry fish making was carried out only during four

months in a year and the rest of the year these activities were not carried out due to inclement

weather.


19

The occupational experience of the fisherwomen in dry fish making of all the 6 fishing

villages ranged from 19-40 years with an average occupational experience of 33 years whereas in

dry fish trade, the average occupational experience was 32 years.

The fish harvesting gears used in the fishing villages were drift gill nets, boat seines and

hook and line operated by outboard motorized boats, in Adimalathura whereas in Pozhiyur

village the major gears operated were shore seine, drift gill nets, set gill nets and hook and lines.

In Pulluvila shore seine, boat seine and drift gill nets were operated. In Karumkulam and Poovar

fishing villages shore seines, hook and line, off shore encircling gear (“Thattumadi”) and drift

gill nets were operated. The fishes dominating the fishery comprised of Mackerel, Indian Scad,

Tuna, Moon fish, Carangids, Cuttlefish, Ribbon fish and White Pomfret. In addition to dry fish

making, in these fishing villages, value addition of fish based products in the form of fish pickle

making was carried out in Pozhiyur (20 percent), Puthiyathura, (6%) Pulluvila (10 percent) and

Adimalathura (5.55 percent).

Fig.7. Dry fish making units in Trivandrum coast.

The bulk of the fish used for dry fish making in all the fishing villages except Poovar

village, was procured through auction from traders of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra

Pradesh. The fisherwomen of Poovar procure fish from landing centers of their village. The


20

fishes used in the dry fish processing were mainly Mackerel, Tuna, Indian Scad, Cuttle fish,

Trigger fish, Prawns and Moonfish. These dried fishes had high demand in the market.

Fig. 8. Large scale dry fish making units in Poovar

As far as the dry fish making activities in Pozhiyur and Puthiyathura are concerned, 100

percent of fisherwomen engaged in the dry fish making activities. It was observed that, in some

cases 20 percent family members and 5 percent labours were involved in the fish processing. In

Pulluvila fishing village, 45 percent employed laborers, 30 percent of the women did the

processing of dry fish by themselves and 25 percent involved family members. In Adimalathura,

majority (53 percent) of fisher women resorted to doing by themselves, 29 percent involved

family members and 17.64 percent employed labourers. In Karumkulam fishing village, 90.47%

of the fisherwomen undertook the processing activities by themselves and 9.53 percent did the

activities with others. In Poovar fishing village, 75 percent of the respondents did the processing

themselves and only 25 percent depended on family members for their processing activities.

The average cost of fresh fish procured for dry fish making ranged from Rs.100-10,000

and the average cost of transportation per trip for the dried produce was Rs.250. Salt was used as

the preservative and drying was mainly done by sun drying on the terraces of houses using old

tarpaulin sheets. The processing period was mostly 3-4 days in a sunny week.


21

The dried produce were transported to markets by two wheelers (50 percent) and by head

load (25 percent) in Pozhiyur village, followed by lorry (50 percent), vans (27.77 percent), head

load (16.66 percent) and two wheelers (5.57 percent) in Puthiyathura. In Karumkulam village

cent percent of the produce was transported by vans. In Poovar, a small portion of the

fisherwomen were involved in the dry fish processing and trade and it was carried by head load

(80 percent), 15 percent by auto rickshaw and 5 percent by lorries. The selling of dry fish was

done in places outside the village (50 percent), in local markets (25 percent) and in both local

and outside markets (25 percent). In Puthiyathura, all the produce was sold locally (100 percent)

and in Poovar village 60 percent was sold locally. In Adimalathura local sales was done to the

extent of 55.50 percent. As far as dry fish trade was concerned, most of the produce (45 per cent)

was sold in wholesale markets, 40 percent in retail markets and 15 percent in both in retail and

wholesale markets according to fisherwomen of Pozhiyur village. In Pulluvila, 60 percent was

sold in wholesale, 35 percent in retail and wholesale and 5 percent sold in the retail market only.

In Adimalathura, 66.66 percent of the produce was sold in retail market, 22.22 percent in

wholesale and retail and 11.11 percent in wholesale market alone. In Karumkulam, however,

52.38 percent of the produce was sold in both wholesale and retail markets, and only 38.09

percent in wholesale market. In Poovar fishing village, 65 percent was sold in the retail market,

30 per cent in wholesale and only 5 percent in both retail and wholesale markets. Regarding the

collection of proceedings from sales, cent percent in Pulluvila and Adimalathura opined that,

they could recover their money immediately after sales, whereas respondents from Karumkulam

and Poovar (95.00 percent) said that, they could obtain their proceedings from sales immediately

and 5 percent said that they could obtain money only a week after sales.


22

It could be observed that, though all the sample respondents had dry fish making as their

predominant activity, 20 percent of respondents in Pozhiyur,10 percent in Pulluvila, and 5.55 per

cent in Adimalathura resorted to pickle making as a value added product in addition to dry fish

making.

With respect to the adequacy of market facilities, cent percent of fisherwomen form

Adimalathura said that, they had sufficient facilities in the market for selling fish, 94.44 percent

at Puthiyathura and 75 percent at Poovar, said that market facilities were sufficient and 85.71

percent of respondents from Karumkulam expressed that, they had sufficient facilities in the

market for selling fish. The existing market price for dry fish was high, according to cent percent

of respondents from Pozhiyur and Karumkulam, 95 percent in Pulluvila, 83.33 percent in

Puthiyathura and 80 percent in Poovar fishing villages respectively.

As far as the packing of the processed produce was concerned, the dry fish was packed

mostly in metal containers and plastic bags for transportations to the markets. The fishes are

transported to markets in Nagercoil, Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu as well as to Parassala,

Vellarada, Poovar, Pazhayakada, Balarampuram, Chalai, Kattakkada in Thiruvananthapuram

district, Kerala. On an average, the fisherwomen of these fishing villages sell 1900 Kg of dry fish

per month per person. The fisherwomen get a profit margin ranging from 10-50 percent with an

average of 33.33 percent. The interim storage period after processing and before selling is

meager, as opined by cent percent in Pozhiyur and Adimalathura and within 1-4 days in

Karumkulam, within 2 weeks time in Poovar, within a week in Puthiyathura and immediate as

told by 95 percent of respondents at Pulluvila fishing village.


23

During rainy season, the post processing loss incurred for dry fish was found to be cent

percent in Pozhiyur, Pulluvila and Adimalathura, 80-100 percent in Puthiyathura, 85-100 percent

in Karumkulam and 89-100 percent in Poovar respectively. Cent percent of the respondents of

the fishing villages of Pozhiyur, Pulluvila, Adimalathura, Karumkulam, Poovar and 94 percent of

respondents in Puthiyathura were of the opinion that they were in need of training from expert in

the field for dry fish making/processing.


24

5. CLAM FISHERY IN POOVAR ESTUARY

Clams are eaten mostly in the coastal regions of India, especially in the Konkan,

Kerala, Bengal and Karnataka regions. Clams have more protein content than other sea

food, such as scallops and oysters. They are low fat, high protein food. Vitamin B12 is

among the vitamins and minerals that can be found in clams. Since clams form rich

protein food and are regularly consumed by local people, the understanding of the

biochemical constituents of different species would be valuable for sustainable utilization

and management of such natural resource.

In the South Western coast of India, also known as Konkan region, clams are used

to cook curries and side dishes like Tisaryachi, Ekshipi, which is clams with one shell on.

Clam fishery forms secondary source of livelihood for the poor fishermen community.

Vembanad Lake is the major estuarine system which harbours a rich resource of clams

the black clam (Villorita cyprinoides). Annually about 31,650 tonnes of clams are fished

from this lake of which 31,430 tonnes is contributed by black clam (Kripa et. al., 2004).

Of the several species, Villorita cyprinoides locally known as ‘Kayalchippy’

(black clam) is the only clam resource of the Poovar estuary. This resource has been

traditionally exploited by the local peoples around the Poovar estuary. The clams

harvested are boiled for 5 to10 minutes in large aluminium vessels. The boiled shell-on

clams are shaken well in a small bucket to separate the meet from the shell. The meat

thus removed is sold in the local market.

Species description : Shell fairly large, trigonal, cordate and very oblique,

anterior margin short, regularly curved above, almost straight in the middle, then with a

rapid curve and meeting the ventral border, the latter curving upwards and meeting the


25

posterior margin, the posterior margin nearly straight, much larger than the anterior, with

thick concentric ridges, umbones prominent, near the anterior side, recurved, a large,

thick external ligament posteriorly inflated in the umbonal as well as in the middle

regions and greatly compressed ventrally. Shell thick with concentric ridges prominent

with anterior portion, umbones striated. Periostracum greenish brown, dark brown or

black.

Fig. 9. Villorita cyprinoides collected from Poovar estuary.


26

6. SEAWEED RESOURCES OF POOVAR TO VIZHINJAM

A study of seaweed diversity in the Trivandrum coast is of vital importance in the face of

the rapidly increasing industrial impact on aquatic ecosystem in this region. Seaweed are one of

the important resources in the economy of many nations as they have been a stable item in the

diet of many people. Seaweed biodiversity essentially represents the species richness and their

abundance, which may be exploited for commercial use.

The diversity, abundance and distribution of seaweed are influenced by environmental

factors such as exposure to desiccation, rainfall, temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen and

nutrients viz., nitrite, nitrate and phosphate, availability of substratum and herbivores. Some

studies on algal resources and monthly fluctuations in biomass have been carried out from

different regions of Indian coasts and estuary. Considering all these factors, the present study on

the distribution and abundance of seaweed and the effect of environmental factors on the

distribution and abundance of seaweed along the Trivandrum coast was made.

Diversity, distribution and abundance of seaweed are known to be influenced by both

physical and biological factors. The present study reveals that the construction of Vizhinjam

International sea port were found being destroyed due to the dredging works carried out as part

of the project. Previous studies (James, 1987) showed that 14 species were present in the

Vizhinjam coast. According to him harvestable quantities of seaweed are available in the rocky

area of the coast. Sofiamma et. al, (1991) studied the seaweed resources of Chowra coast and

found that 22 species of seaweed belonging to three classes namely Chlorophyceae, Phaephyceae

and Rhodophyceae were found to occur. The coastline towards Kovalam is rocky shore where

seaweed used to be abundant there. But now they have been disappearing due to the


27

accumulation of sediments brought port by the dredging work. The present preliminary seaweed

survey revealed only 4 species namely Chaetomorpha antennia, Chaetomorpha aerea, Ulva spp.

Grateloupia spp. belonging to two families. They are also in the verge of extinction. Monthly

variation in the occurrence, distribution of marine seaweed and variations in species composition

within the station was observed during the study period.

Fig. 10. Seaweed observed in Trivandrum coast.


28

7.CAGE FISH FARMING.

Aquaculture is the fastest growing food sector in the world today. While most of the

lotic and lentic water bodies of Kerala are suitable for aquaculture, cage aquaculture farming

is yet to explore the actual potential of the in-land, to meet the demands in aqua food, to

attain success in business and to utilize the land resources to its maximum. This offers great

opportunities for the local aqua farmers to play a vital role in venturing into aquaculture,

improving food security and thus contributing to the economy of the country.

The backwaters of Kerala are the most prominent with more than 70 edible species

which include shrimp, mullets, pearl spots, crabs, oysters, clam, milk fish, scampi, cat fishes

etc. Out of the above species, Pearl Spot has an outstanding position among the fish eaters

and hence the fishermen in inland water gave more attention to catch this fish. This

indigenous fish of Kerala lives in varying water conditions ranging from fresh water to the

salty brackish water.

Fig. 11. Pearl spot in cage


29

The Pearl Spot, Etroplus suratensis , a hardy species having nutritional value, good

flavour and taste is one of the most ideal fin fishes for farming in tanks, irrigation wells,

domestic ponds, temple ponds and backwaters and also affordable by low income groups. Its

non-predacious habits and easy adaptability to different kinds of water are useful features for

its successful cultivation in ponds and cages.

Various Committee reports submitted to Government and Central and State Research

Institutes pointed out that the Pearl Spot fishery of Kerala is in declining phase. During

1960s, the Pearl Spot fishery of Kerala contributed 17000 tonnes (report of RARS,

Kumarakam) and the share of Pearl Spot in the total inland fish production has declined from

10% of total inland catches in 1990-91 to further about 6% in 2002-03. The maximum size

and weight of Pearl Spot catches nowadays is also shown diminishing.

Pearl Spot is reported to be a year round breeder in natural environment system with

one or two peaks. Gravid fish were collected from open waters and size of the fish ranged

from 150 to 180mm in length and 110 to 180 gm in weight. Probably May-June

and November- December are two breeding periods of this fish. Fecundity is low and one

female fish lays only 800-1000 eggs per batch.


30

Declaration of Karimeen as the ‘State Fish’

“Karimeeen (Etroplus suratensis) is considered as the brand ambassador of Kerala

Fisheries. Karimeen has been approved as the state fish of Kerala by NBFGR (National Bureau

of Fish Genetic Resources) and is declared as state fish by Government of Kerala. To promote

and protect Karimeen fishery, scheme called “ KarimeenVarsam” has been launched and the

scheme is implementing through FFDAs”.

7 a. Training Programme on cage culture for the women farmers of Poovar

Village.

A Training programme on finfish cage culture was conducted by RGIDS on 11th to 12th

October 2017. About twenty women farmers and entrepreneurs from poovar coast participated in

the programme. Mr. Praveen Project fellow and Smt. N.S. Jayasree Technical Assistant RGIDS

co- ordinated the training programme. Dr.Santhosh .Principal Scientist CMFRI has given an

overall support for the programme. Dr.Premjth, Professor and Principal Investigator of RGIDS

welcomed the esteemed guests and participants of the function. He has also mentioned about the

importance of cage fish culture in Poovar.


31

Fig 12. Orientation Programme in Poovar

The training Director Dr. K. Krishnakumar, Former farm Manager,

MatsyafedTrivandrum has given brief introduction about the training programme. The training

has given emphasis on cage culture, small cages in estuaries, oyster culture and mussel culture.

The scientific experts from CMFRI have shared their knowledge on cage farming, health

management in cage cultured fin fishes, nursery rearing of cage cultured fin fishes, water quality

management and growth monitoring and cage mooring, cage management and net exchange.

Fig . 13 Orientation Programme in Poovar


32

Cage fish farming – Extension work in collaboration with CMFRI

Central government subsidy programme of National Fisheries Development sponsored Cage fish

farming program of CMFRI implements through RGIDS at Poovar for trained fisher.

Fig. 14. Implementation of NFDB – CMFRI Cage culture through RGIDS


33

Fig. 15. CMFRI Research team visit RGIDS cage site.

7 b. Culture of Etroplus suratensis (Karimeen) through Cage Culture method

Construction of cages

Cage culture of fish utilizes existing water resources but encloses the fish in a cage or

basket which allows water to pass freely between the fish and the pond permitting water

exchange and waste removal into the surrounding water. Cages are used to culture several types

of shell fish and finfish species in fresh, brackish and marine waters. Cages in freshwaters are

used for food fish culture and for fry to fingerling rearing.

The floating cage device described in the present study is the first of its kind in Poovar

back water and consists of a rectangular floating cage structure along with suitable netting

materials for fin fish farming. The cage structure was made of high density polyethylene (HDPE)

top support, inner and outer rings. The inner and outer collar had provisions for connecting outer

predator, inner grow out and bird nets. There were HDPE vertical and diagonal supports for the


34

cage frame. The total weight of the cage frame was 1.5 kg. The floating cage structure and nets

were designed and standardized in such a way to suit the current inundation of water level.

Fig 16. Cage designed and constructed by RGIDS

Fig 17. RGIDS cage culture unit in Poovar

Stocking density

Stocking density is decided by the characteristics of the fish under culture and on the

natural productivity and the rate of ration given and the water flow. The vast range of variations

found in the stocking densities followed is due to several factors in different aquatic conditions


35

and also based on the nature of the fish. An optimum density fore very species has to be

maintained · for better production.

Fig.18. Etroplus seed stocking.

The effect of stocking density on the culture of E. suretensis has not been well studied in

Kerala. Therefore fingerlings of E. surenentsis were reared at two different stocking densities in

cages having a size of 2x2x2 m3and moderate water flow (>0.05 m.second-) in Poovar estuary ,

to evaluate the effect of stocking density on survival rate , feed utilization and growth

performance. Fingerlings of 1cm length were stocked at a density of 250 with mean weight of

1g. Aggressiveness and escape attempts routinely occurred in treatments with lowest stocking

density while surface swimming was higher at the highest stocking density treatments.

Water quality at cage site

Gain in weight was recorded monthly while water quality parameters were recorded

daily. Temperature of atmosphere and water ranged between 25-27o C and 22-25o C respectively,

while pH and salinity ranged between 8.3 - 8.7 and 0.5ppt – 7.8ppt respectively. Maximum


36

salinity recorded during May 2019. TDS and conductivity values ranged between 0.9586 –

1.171 ppt and 1184.3 ųS – 1784.67 ųS respectively.

Table 3 . Physico-chemical parameters of culture site

Sl.

No

Parameter November

2018

December

2018

January

2019

February

2019

March

2019

April

2019

May

2019

1 At.tem. 25 26 25 27 28 29 29

2 Wat. tem 22 23 24 25 26 26 26

3 pH 8.7 8.6 8.7 8.6 8.3 8.3 8.3

4 Salinity (ppt) 1.7 1 0.5 0.6 5.5 8.4 7.8

5 Conductivity (ųS) 1198 1250 1332.2 1193.75 1184.3 1784.67 1580.05

6 TDS (ppt) 1.057 1.0622 0.9667 0.958 0.8063 1.433 1.171

Supplemental feeds

Supplemental feeds having more than 40 percent of protein is used for feeding. Pelleted

feeds are ideal and are used in the intensive culture particularly in back water cage culture. The

fishes are fed with branded feed twice daily with 5% of total body weight.

Table 4. Specification of pellet feed.


37

The fish was observed to feed on the filamentous algae attached to the cage structure.

These observations indicate the role of pearlspot as “scraping” specie. An observation on

behavioral condition of the fingerlings was also made. Aggressiveness and escape attempts

routinely occurred in treatments with low stocking density while surface swimming was higher

at the highest stocking density treatments.

Fig 19. Pellet Feed

Growth performance of Pearl spot in cage

Gain in weight was recorded bi weekly while water quality parameters except ammonia

were recorded daily.

Table 5. Growth Performance of E. suratensis in relation to stocking density in Cage culture at Poovar - 2019

Month Growth (g)Cage 1 Growth (g)Cage 2

January 5.4 3.6

February 24 9.4

March 29.8 17

April 33.6 28.8

May 39.4 34.2

June 68.8 56.6

July 94 83


38

Fig 21. Measurement of fish seed

0102030405060708090

100

We

igh

t (g

)

Fig. 20. Growth Performance of E. suratensis in relation to

stocking density in Cage culture at Poovar - 2019

Growth (g)Cage 1

Growth (g)Cage 2


39

Fig 22. Plotting of fish weight

Fig 23. Plotting of fish length


40

7 c. Culture of Milk fish, Chanos chanos

Experimental cage culture for Chanos chanos was initiated in Poovar back water.

Fig 24. Seed transportation and cage design for milk fish culture


41

8. SEMINAR / SYMPOSIA ATTENTED BY PI

1. The ASEAN Fisheries and Aquaculture Conference and Exposition 2016 and the 11th

Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum - from 3rd to 7th August 2016. Distribution and

accumulation of heavy metal in the sediment of Poovar estuary, Kerala, south west coast of

India with special reference to sustainable development. Bangkok International Trade &

Exhibition Centre (BITEC), Bangkok, Thailand invited for oral presentation.

2. 3rd International Conference on Fisheries and Aquaculture, Negambo, Sri Lanka from

24th to 25th August 2016. ‘Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in aquatic animals

collected from Poovar estuary, Kerala, south west coast of India’. (Oral presentation and

chaired a session).

3. Conservation and Management issues of AVM canal - Heritage for future generations.

Presented in the 4th Indian Biodiversity Congress, 10-12 March 2017, Pondycheeri

University, Puthussery.

4. National Science Day -Programme co-ordinator, sponsored by KSCSTE, Govt. of Kerala.

5. Rich fisheries - poor fisherfolk- a case study for the sustainable development of Poovar

fishing village, Trivandrum, Kerala – 2019, University of Kerala.


42

9. PAPERS PUBLISHED

1. Premjith, S, Prasanth and S. Jayasree, 2017, Endangered and Threatened Mangrove plant

Barringtonia racemosa reported from Poovar South coat of India for Conservation Concern,

J.Env.Bio-Sci.

2. Premjith, S, P. Praveen , Sai Sree , and P. Jayasree 2017. A Least concern mangrove species

Sonneratia caseolaris reported from Poovar estuary, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Ajms

vol.5 No 7 (ISSN: 2321-8819)

3. Premjith, S, P. Praveenprasannan and N.S Jayasree 2017"Fin fish resources of PoovarEstuary,

south west coast of Kerala" Ajms vol 5 No 8 (ISSN 2321-8819)

4. Premjith, S, P. Praveen and S. Jayasree 2017, Conservation and Management issues of

AVM canal - Heritage for future generations. Perspectives on Biodiversity of India -

Volume III

5. Premjith, S and Saisree, K.G. 2018, Weak Supportive System and Livelihood Status

among Fisherfolk in Poovar Fish Landing Centre, Kerala. IOSR-JHSS vol.23,(1) 7 pp.73-

83. eISSN: 2279-0837


43

10.REFERENCES

CMFRI. 2017. Annual Report 2016-17. Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi.

CMFRI. 2018. Annual Report 2017-18. Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi.

Gopakumar G and F.S. Sadasiva Sarma.,1989. The present status of coastal tuna fishery at

Vizhinjam, Trivandrum coast.Vizhinjam Research Centre of CMFRI.

Kripa V, T S Velayudhan ,Shoji joseph, P S Alloycious , M Joseph, P Radhakrishnan, and

J Sharma., 2004. Clam fisheries of Vembanad Lake, Kerala with observations on the socio

economic conditions of the clam fisheries. Mar.Fish.Info.Serv,T&E ser;No.179. pp:14-16

Luther G, G. Gopakumar and Madan Mohan., 1985. Tuna Live-Baitefish Investigations At

Vizhinjam. Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Cochin-682 018, India, Proc. Symp.

Coastal Aquaculture, 1984, 3 : 861-875

James, P.S.B.R. 1987. Seaweed research and utilization in India. CMFRI bulletin 41 : 1-116.

Premjith, S 2010. Responsible fishing in India after tsunami- Self induced conservation package

initiatives from fisher folk. Second International conference in Coastal Zone engineering and

management. Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, Nov. 1 – 7

Saleela K.N, A. P. Dineshbabu, B. Santhosh, M. K. Anil and C. Unnikrishnan., 2015. Shore

seine fishery along Poovar in Thiruvananthapuram district, southwest coast of India . J. Mar.

Biol. Ass. India, 57 (2)

Sofiamma, M.A, S. Premjith, K. Dhevendran, P, Nadarajan, V, Sobha. 1991. Seaweed

resources of Chowara along south west coast of India. Seaweed Res. Utili. 14 (1) : 53-60

KSCSTE Project Report · 2020. 4. 24. · KSCSTE Project Report 2019 3 1. INTRODUCTION It has been...

Documents

Transcript of KSCSTE Project Report · 2020. 4. 24. · KSCSTE Project Report 2019 3 1. INTRODUCTION It has been...