Lacustrine Fisheries of Kerala

Abstract

Kerala is bequeathed with inland lakes and wetlands of international and national importance. Vembanad Lake spreads over an area of 2033 square kilometres covering three districts. The wetland is an ecologically sensitive habitat, famous as a Ramsar site and a critically vulnerable area. Anthropogenic activities such as illegal fishing gears, fishery aggregation devices, land reclamation, manmade interferences, pollution and natural influences of lake have led to deterioration of natural habitat as well as became a threat to aquatic diversity. Therefore, taking ameliorative strategies such as policy development, strict implementation of laws, awareness and conservative programmes as well as initiating mitigation strategies like CRPS, mangrove restoration programmes, analysing the livelihood status of fishers of the lake pertains to relieving the adverse impacts and enhances health status of the lake.