Inland Fisheries

5.2.3 Mahanadi Estuary

Mahanadi estuary is situated in Cuttack and Puri district of Orissa. It is formed by the river Mahanadi which meets the Bay of Bengal. Its total area is 30,000 ha. The annual fish production is about 550 tonnes. The major fishes found in this estuary include mullets, seabass, sciaenids and prawns. This estuary is characterized by poor tidal oscillations and flood discharge due to sand bar formation in the sea mouth. This has affected fish yield from the estuary.