Biodiversity assessment of sea cage farming sites in Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Marine fin and shellfish farming is an age old practice across the globe to augment the seafood production and to supplement the protein rich food. The open sea cages are particularly advantageous for maintaining the brood stock of potential species like cobia (Rachycentron canadum) and silver pompano (Trachinotus blochii) for captive breeding. A large congregation of various bioresources are also found to be associated with cage farming (Imelda et al., 2010). In the present study, an attempt was made to understand the biodiversity of the cage farming area at Mandapam in Gulf of Mannar, India