International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Research

Authors
Suganja Thuraisingam, Suganja Thuraisingam

Abstract
Fishery by-catch discard practices constitute a purposeless waste of valuable living resources, which plays an important role in the depletion of marine populations. Furthermore, it may have a number of adverse ecological impacts, provoking changes in the overall structure of trophic webs and habitats. Invertebrate by-catch is mostly undocumented for in Asia in productive and ecologically sensitive marine ecosystems. This includes Gulf of Mannar where various fishing gears and vessels are being operated. Samples were collected at 29 landing sites from Halawatha to Kalpitiya and described the fishing practices interviewing people between March to June 2015. Species were identified using taxonomic keys. Seventeen invertebrate species were recorded in class crustacea. Family Portunidae had the maximum species composition. Main vessels were one day boats, Theppam, Vallam and the main gears were gill nets of various mesh sizes, beach seines, traps and hand nets. Gear regulations, management plans, awareness for by-catch reduction and opportunities for unavoidable by- catch utilization needs to be introduced.