Freshwater fish diversity information system as a basis for sustainable fishery

Chaudhuri, S.K. (2004) Freshwater fish diversity information system as a basis for sustainable fishery. In: IASLIC XXI National Seminar, 31 December 2004-03 January 2005, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal.

Full text available as:

PDF - Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader or other PDF viewer. 67 Kb

Abstract

Our freshwater fish diversity is poorly studied. There is no proper documentation on freshwater fish resources of India. Due to irrational fishing practices, environmental aberrations like reduction in water volume, increased sedimentation, water abstraction, and pollution over the years this diversity is on a decline. The paper highlights some features and impacts of erosion of this biodiversity. To save this diversity and to develop a sustainable fishery practice in the country proper documentation leading to Freshwater Fish Diversity Information System is an urgent need. Some components of databases for information system development and documentation have been suggested. For standing up to this negative phenomenon a coordinated effort is needed. Introduction India is one of the 12-mega biodiversity countries having two biodiversity hotspots, namely the Western Ghats and the Eastern Himalayas that are included amongst the top eight most important hotspots in the world. It also has rich freshwater (rivers, irrigation canals, tanks, lakes, reservoirs) fish diversity. This diversity is being eroded each day mainly because of unending anthropogenic stress. This diversity is not only the wealth of India and the world but it also has serious implications on fishery. Thus there is an urgent need for proper inventorisation and documentation of this fish diversity in order to

Archive Staff Only: edit this record