Inland Fisheries

5.2.9 Vellar Estuary

The estuary is formed by the river Vellar which drains into the Bay of Bengal at Portonova in Tamilnadu. The total course of the river is 480 km, of which the estuary covers only 262 ha. The catches of this estuary include mullets, sciaenids, catfishes, polynemids, leiognathids, prawns, crabs, clams. It serves as a good nursery ground for many of the fishes in Portonova waters. Mullets constitute 23.5%, prawns 13% and crabs 8% of the total landings. Contribution of molluscan (mainly clams) fishery is substantial (65%). These are sold at a cheap rate and their shells are utilized for the production of lime. Main gears employed for fishing are different types of cast nets with varying mesh sizes. Fishing by a hollow cone-shaped basket is also employed. Peak fishing seasons are summer and premonsoon months, although intensive fishing starts soon after the rains.