Cage culture of seabass and pearlspot in mangrove-based creeks as an alternate livelihood for the mangrove coastal community of Sindhudurg, Maharashtra – A success story.

Abstract

Sindhudurg accounts for only 3% of Maharashtra’s total mangrove cover but houses more of its coastal biodiversity than any other district in the state. The coastal community of this region depends mainly on agriculture and marine fisheries for their livelihood. However, the depletion of natural fish stocks as a result of unsustainable fishing practices, an expanding tourism sector, and pollution from fishing vessels and other maritime traffic is seriously affecting the livelihood security of the coastal community. Similarly, deforestation of mangroves timber for boat fabrication, fuel-wood, human settlements, illegal aquaculture activities have also impacted the nursery and breeding grounds of marine fish, mammals, birds, etc. Hence, for mangrove protection and regeneration through coastal livelihood and ecotourism activities, the Mangrove Foundation, Mumbai has initiated several conservation and livelihood programs through self-help groups (SHG) for selected coastal villages of Maharashtra.