Studies on the maturation and spawning of grey mullets of a reservoir fishery in Okhamandal (Gulf of Kutch) with special reference to rural development along the coast

Abstract

Grey mullets formed S7% of the annual marine fish production during 1984-87 from the reservoirs of a solar saltworks along the Okhamandal coast of the Gulf of Kutch. Mugil cephalus (23.0%), Mugil macrolepis (35.03%), Mugil parsia (1.29?-^), Mugil tade (0.629%) and Mugil car/natus (40.06%) formed the composition of the catch- Maturing specimens of Mugil cephalus. Mugil macrolepis and Mugil parsia were observed in the catch. In view of the excellent prospects of aquaculture of this highly esteemed group of fishes, and considering the limited seed resources of 1,64 million per annum from the natural sources, a study of the gonadial development and spawning of the commercially important species was undertaken. Based on the data, experiments to indues the development and spawning were also conducted. Conditioning and prevention of diseases from infection due to injury wore major problems. Both Mugil macrolepis and Mugil parsia responded to pituitary hormone Injections, developed ovaries and spawned in 7 days and 37 days respectively. The prospects of rural development through mullet culture in the coastal areas of Kutch are discussed.