Phytoplankton of the waters of the west coast of India and its bearing on fisheries

Abstract

Investigations on marine phytoplankton, the prime synthesizers of' all organic matter in the sea has assumed great importance since over half a century. As these microscopic organisms fluctuate in response to climatic changes, water movements, nutrient content of the water and so on, they form an important and convenient link in the assessment of the stock of fish. Very little work has been done on these aspects in any of the warmer regions of the world and particularly in India. Since 1949, the author has been engaged on a continuous and intense study of phytoplankton in particular and plankton in general on the west coast of India from several aspects including its relationship to fisheries. It may be mentioned here that nearly 80 per cent of marine fish landed in India is on the west coast.