Inland Fisheries

5.3.7 Manakuddy Estuary

This estuary of river Puzhayar is situated about 8 km North of Cape Comorin (Tamilnadu). Total area is about 145 ha. It is bordered all along with vast stretches of salt pans on either side. Tilapia, Mugil, Etroplus, Gerrus, Chanos, Therapon, Ambassis, Lates, Anguilla and Mystus are the common fish species. A few species of caridean prawns, Macrobrachium spp., and the penaeid prawns viz. F. indicus, P. monodon, M. dobsoni and M. monoceres are also common. About 10 tonnes of fishes are caught annually, prawns constituting about 4 tonnes. More than 90% of the prawns are caught by cast net.