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Puffer proliferation in tropical coastal waters: influence of indiscriminate trawling

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Title Puffer proliferation in tropical coastal waters: influence of indiscriminate trawling
 
Creator Padate, V P
Can, A
Rivonker, C U
 
Subject Meso-predator
Predator removal
Proliferation
Pufferfish
Trawl catch
 
Description 161-169
Intensive mechanized fishing has induced marked alterations in coastal marine ecosystems resulting in proliferation of
low-value, nuisance species in marine fish catches. Assessment of 75 shrimp trawl catches taken in the near-shore waters off
Goa, west coast of India during active fishing periods from 2006 – 2008 revealed that the demersal pufferfish, Lagocephalus
spadiceus constituted ≈ 27 % by weight of the trawl catch during January – March, and its catch was inversely related to
prey and predator species. Sub-tidal rock reefs and submerged rocky patches in the study area offer suitable substrates for
spawning, and the predominance of adults during these months suggesting spawning migration. Comparison of the present
data with published literature indicates a significant reduction in puffer predators (catfishes). Excessive removal of highvalue
predators favours the proliferation of pufferfish and its establishment as a meso-predator, probably triggering a
potential trophic cascade. The paper discusses the role of removal of High Trophic Level (HTL) species in the proliferation
of a meso-predator and its impact on ecosystem function.
 
Date 2022-07-01T11:43:38Z
2022-07-01T11:43:38Z
2022-02
 
Identifier 2582-6727 (Online); 2582-6506 (Print)
http://nopr.niscpr.res.in/handle/123456789/60021
 
Language en
 
Publisher NIScPR-CSIR, India
 
Source IJMS Vol.51(02) [February 2022]