Inland Fisheries

5.5.2 Gastropods

Gastropods are mostly distributed in the shallow waters, lagoons and reef areas of the coastal sea. They are mainly reported from Gulf of Mannar, and Coramandal coast along the east coast, Lakshadweep and Andaman Islands. In the past, these shells were thrown out into the sea as discards. Nowadays, though they have less edible value, they find a prominent place in the commercial shell-craft industry. Many of these gastropods are exploited for food as well as for ornamental purposes. The shells are used in making ornaments and curios. They are used whole or cut into pieces of desirable shapes during processing. A few gastropod species are utilized as food by man. Demand for consumption of gastropods is not high in India, the same being limited for occasional use by poor class people including fishermen of coastal areas. The important species of edible gastropods of Indian coasts are Cellana radiata, Trochus niloticus, T. radiatus, Umbonium vestiarium, Turbo marmoratus, T. intercostalis, Strombus canarium, Lambis lambis, Thais rudolphi, T. bufo, Oliva gibbosa. Most prevalent practice is that the fishermen scoop out the soft body with a hooked iron rod, boil the soft body in a little brine, slice it and sun dry for future use as a fried curry. The gastropod shells with attractive shapes and colours are used as ornamental items.