Inland Fisheries

5.2.10 Vaigai and its adjacent estuaries

There are seven estuaries in Ramanathapuram district (Tamilnadu), covering an average area of about 93.77 ha. Of the seven estuaries, the estuaries, Vaigai, Kottakudi, Kottakarai, Pamban - Chinnapalam and the Pambar remain open throughout the year. The other two estuaries, Malalta and the Palaiyar remain closed for 7 – 9 months. Among them, Vaigai estuary is the most important one. This estuary lands the highest catches. Commercial fisheries in Vaigai estuary assume importance from aquaculture viewpoint as it is rich in seed resources of commercially important species of fishes and prawns. Important fishes are milkfish, mullets and prawns.