Effect of environmental parameters on estuarine lobster and crab fishery and its management in thane estuary, Maharashtra
Suraj Kumar Pradhan, S Abuthagir Iburahim, AD Nakhawa and Latha Shenoy
Lobsters are benthic organism with high consumer demand, so it fetches high values in domestic as well as export market due to its delicious meat quality. There are 18 species belonging to 10 genera are under Palinuridae family in India. In India crab fishery is small scale and depends mainly on the capture fishery. There were more than 600 species of crabs reported from the Indian waters. Estuarine ecosystem is highly productive and it supports early life stages of many species. In Thane estuary, among lobsters, Panulirus polyphagous (Mud spiny lobster) and Panulirus ornatus (Ornate spiny lobster) and among crabs, Portunus pelagicus (Blue crab) and Portunus sanguinolentus (Three spot swimming crabs)comprised the major catch. These species targeted by using the specifically designed bottom set gill net and it supports the livelihood of traditional fishermen. The salinity along with the temperature plays an important role for the seasonality of the lobster and crab fishery in the estuarine area.
Suraj Kumar Pradhan, S Abuthagir Iburahim, AD Nakhawa, Latha Shenoy. Effect of environmental parameters on estuarine lobster and crab fishery and its management in thane estuary, Maharashtra. J Entomol Zool Stud 2019;7(4):102-104.