ALAPPUZHA:The eighth edition of the annual Vembanad Fish Count that took place on Friday afternoon identified 45 types of fin fish,3 types of crustaceans and 2 types of molluscs. The count was conducted by the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) with the support of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean studies (KUFOS), Bio diversity board,StAlbert’s college Eranakulam and Regional Research station, Kumarakam. Nearly 100 volunteers participated in the programme. Evironmentalist K.V Dayal flagged off the survey from Kayipuram boat Jetty.
Participants said that last year they had found 42 types of fin fish, 12 types of crustaceans and 3 type of Molluscs. Another finding included an alarming decline of salinity in water that has adversely affected the breeding of black Calm in Vembanad Lake, one of the largest Calm breeding habitat in the country. Jelly fish and cat fish from Puntus species were found in the count.
The count also found that salinity of water was only 2-3 ppt compared to last year’s 11 ppt attributing the cause to an increase in summer rains.In some places like Punnamada, Cheepunkal and Kumarakom, pollution was high compared to other sampling locations.
Findings of the fish count
■ The annual Vembanad Fish Count identified 45 types of fin fish,3 types of crustaceans and 2 types of molluscs.
■ Another finding included an alarming decline of salinity in water that has adversely affected the breeding of black Calm in Vembanad Lake, one of the largest Calm breeding habitat in the country.
■ In some places like Punnamada, Cheepunkal and Kumarakom, pollution was high compared to other sampling locations.