Diversity of species caught in ring seines off Cochin region, Kerala

Abstract

Total number of marine fishery resources landed along the Indian coast during 2015 was 735 species. Among the maritime states, Kerala recorded maximum number of species in the marine landings and the number increased by 70 compared to 2014 figures. The study was conducted from January to December 2016, to analyse the diversity of species caught in ring seines in Cochin area in different seasons from different categories of ring seines based on indices of species richness, diversity and evenness. Ring seines with 10 mm mesh size are categorized as small meshed and 20 mm as large meshed. The study revealed the presence of 86 species belonging to 54 genera, 34 families, 14 orders and 5 classes from all three categories of ring seines. The Margalef richness indices showed highest value in small meshed ring seine type II during the pre-monsoon season and lowest value was observed in large mesh ring seine during the monsoon season. Diversity indices were highest in small meshed ring seine type II during the post-monsoon season and the lowest was observed in large mesh ring seine. The evenness indices showed highest value in small mesh ring seine type II during the post-monsoon season and lowest value was observed in large mesh ring seine during the premonsoon season. Oil sardine was the most dominant species landed in all the three types of ring seines. The study is important to understand the diversity of fish landed which will be helpful in management and conservation programmes.