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Not AvailableIndustrial establishments along the head region of Patalganga River, at Raigad district, Maharashtra is developing since few decades. These manmade and natural stressors are destructing the ecological quality of Patalganga-Amba estuarine complex slowly. A study had conducted from October 2016 to December 2017 to know the phytoplankton abundance, distribution and its seasonal variations at Patalganga estuary. A total of 47 genera of phytoplankton were identified, out of that, 33 genera are diatoms (17 pennate and 16 centric diatom), 7 genera of din flagellate and 7 genera of other algae were observed from the study site. H’ and J’ observed were 2.503 to 2.506 and 0.94 to 0.97 respectively, indicates the study site was productive. The seasonal variations of physico-chemical qualities and the intrinsic properties of water body influence the sudden and frequent variations of phytoplankton population.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableThe relative condition factor (Kn) based on length-weight relationship and food and feeding habits of Jones’ pony fish Eubleekeria jonesi (James, 1971) off Mandapam waters was studied during December 2016 - April 2018. The Kn values showed variations on a monthly basis with maximum value during September (1.23) for male and March (1.53) for female. Analysis of fullness of stomach of 961 samples within the size range of 51-130 mm revealed 40.87% fishes as actively fed, 36.19% as moderately fed and remaining 22.94% as poorly fed. The monthly mean fullness index (FI) was highest during September for both sexes. Highest gonadosomatic index (GSI), vacuity index (VI) and Kn value were observed during March-April in females, probably indicating a spawning peak and hence meagre feeding, which resulted in lowest fullness index (FI). Fishes of smallest length group (51-70 mm) had highest FI and minimum VI and vice versa. The values of index of relative importance (IRI) indicated that the species was planktivorous as well as detritivorous, with top priority towards crustaceans (27.6%) followed by bivalves (23.6%), foraminifera (15.4%), phytoplankton (12.5%), gastropods (9.1%) and nematodes (8.3%) in the gut contents. Diet did not show significant variation either sex-wise or size-wise.Not Availabl

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Not AvailablePatalganga-Amba estuarine ecosystem is opening to the southern part of Mumbai harbour, Raigad district of Maharashtra. Since it is one of the most productive and diverse ecosystem, the fishermen community belonging in this area are getting full or partial advantages of estuarine functions and services. There are more than 13 number of industries along the head water of Patalganga River, hydroelectric power station, Karanja boat jetty etc. are adversely affecting and making this ecosystem vulnerable to ecosystem degradation, eutrophication and decline of species abundance. On this background we studied the zooplankton abundance and seasonal distribution in relation with hydrological parameters, which are showing spatial and temporal variations. There were 14 groups of zooplankton identified with a density ranges from 6162 and 181155 no.x 103 L-1. Copepods and copepod nauplius were dominant followed by barnacle nauplius and foraminifera. The numerical density of zooplankton was positively correlated with phytoplankton abundance, temperature and pH and negatively correlated with salinity. Spatio-temporal variation of hydrological parameters influences the plankton distribution. H’, J’ and D based on zooplankton abundance ranged between 2.25, 0.874 and 1.25 respectively. The diversity indices were indicating the ecosystem was productive but observed a gradual decline while comparing with the previous studies.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableAnthropogenic marine litters or microplastics (MPs) accumulation in marine organisms is an emerging envi- ronmental threat. In this background, the gastrointestinal tract of Coilia dussumieri (n = 150) was studied in the samples collected from the fishing grounds of the north east coast of Arabian Sea through experimental fishing. Out of the total 150 specimens collected, all showed the incidence of microplastic particulates in the guts. The average abundance of MPs was found to be 6.98 ± 2.73 items/individual whereas gastrointestinal tract recorded with an average number of 28.84 ± 10.13 MPs/g in the gut material. The dominant MPs were found in the size range of 100–250 μm and of fibers type mostly blue in color. The prevalence of MPs in Coilia dussumieri is a matter of serious concern due to its ecological consequences due to trophic transfer in the connected food chains and probable threats to the health of human beings consuming the fish.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableThe mangroves are well known for their ecological services and livelihood support to humankind. The mangrove forest is experiencing extreme pressure due to anthropogenic activities, mainly the debris pollution posing great harm to the mangrove ecosystems. The abundance, sources, and composition of surficial and trapped debris items in the six contiguous mangrove regions of Mumbai were studied by the belt-transect and quadrats method. A total number of 3526 surficial debris items (368 kg) were collected from twenty belt transects. The estimated mean surficial debris was 8.8 ± 3.4 pieces/m2 with a weight of 920 ± 317 g/m2. The mean trapped debris was 35 ± 10 pieces/tree and 2514 ± 758 g/tree. Plastic (62.4%) includes carry bags and food wrappers mainly. Shoreline/recreational activity-based debris (38.9%) and other items (32.7%) contributed significantly to the total debris pollution. The study provides evidence that the mangrove ecosystem acts as a natural filter and trap for coastal water debris. The trapped debris is a potential risk to the mangroves due to the barrier created on the canopy surface for the incident solar radiation utilized for photosynthesis. By conducting the cleaning programs in the mangrove vegetation stretches, the ecological disturbances to the mangrove ecosystems can be minimized. Further, the regular removal of trapped debris will complement coastal pollution management. The data generated from this study will help the policymakers and resource managers about the effective control and management of debris pollution in the mangroves region.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableAccumulation of microplastics (MPs) in marine organisms poses an imminent environmental threat and health risk due to thepossibility of trophic transfer of accumulated MPs in ecologically important food chains. In this context, a field-level study wasconducted on the fishing grounds of the north eastern part of the Arabian Sea through experimental fishing, and the gastroin-testinal tracts (GT) of three different species of shrimps (n=180) were examined for the incidence of microplastics. The resultsshowed that all shrimp caught from the fishing grounds had significant levels of MPs in the gastrointestinal tracts. A total numberof 1220 microplastic items were recorded from the pooled samples, with an average of 6.78 ± 2.80 items per individual. Thegastrointestinal tract showed an average number of 70.32 ± 34.67 MPs per gram of the gut material. The MPs with the size rangeof 100–250 μm were the most abundant form found in the shrimp species analyzed. Among the colored MP particles, black colorwas the most dominant (30.16%) form of MP. Fibers, fragments, pellets, beads, and films were the common morphotypes;however, fibers showed an occurrence of 39.40%, 47.39%, and 41.89% in the GTs of Metapenaeus monoceros,Parapeneopsisstylifera,andPenaeus indicus, respectively. In the present study, six types of plastic polymers were identified from the GTs of thestudied samples. The findings confirm the presence of microplastics in the natural habitats of shrimps beyond the coast andindicate that shrimps caught from these coastal fishing grounds contain MPs in their gut. The findings underline the immediatescientific intervention for the microplastic reduction in the marine environment.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableStationary bagnets are one of the most extensively operated traditional fishing gears along Maharashtra Coast. Despite being the most important traditional gear of the State, no systematic studies on the temporal variations in catch composition and the influence of environmental factors on the bagnet fishery of Maharashtra Coast have been conducted till date. Thus, the present study aimed at evaluating temporal variations in catch composition and the influence of environmental variables on the same. To this end, fishing experiments and environmental assessments were conducted every month at four stations for two years, and analysed to achieve the objectives. A total of 156 species belonging to 63 families were recorded in the catch. The most dominant species in the catch were Harpadon nehereus (19.16%), Acetes spp. (14.24%), Nematopalaemon tenuipes (8.97%), Coilia dussumieri (5.27%), Chrysaora sp. (3.98%) and Lepturacanthus savala (2.31%). No significant spatial variations were observed for the different resources, whereas temporal variations were significant. Major environmental variables (temperature, salinity, pH, DO, BOD, current speed, turbidity, TSS, ammonia, phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, silicate, chlorophyll-a, phytoplankton and zooplankton) were analysed and compared among the seasons. Significant temporal variations were observed for all the environmental variables. Catch composition and environmental data were subjected to different multivariate analyses. The results of cluster analysis, ANOSIM and SIMPER established a significant difference in catch composition among the seasons. The diagnostic species for each season were identified through CCA and SIMPER. The results of CCA, Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that current speed, temperature, salinity, pH, DO, turbidity, chlorophyll-a and plankton density play significant roles in structuring the catch composition across the different seasons and current speed exerts maximum influence on catchrate. The information from the study could be used as baseline data for framing management measures for a sustainable bagnet fishery along Maharashtra Coast.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableRise in temperature directly affects the poikilothermic aquatic animals such as fishes influencing their population biomass and recruitment. With this perspective, a study on spatial-temporal distribution of Indian oil sardine along south-west coast of India (SW) was conducted by classifying the study area into three strata namely: southern, central and northern region. The data was collected and segregated into three seasons, i.e. pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon. The trend for sea surface temperature was analyzed and compared among three strata and seasons. The trend of standardized catch per hour for all strata and season was also analyzed, along with observation on gear-wise catch of Indian oil sardine. This study indicates towards latitudinal extension and seasonal changes of Indian oil sardine population, besides changing its distribution into deeper water for avoiding the adverse impact of rising temperature.Not Availabl