7.2.4 Lacustrine fisheries

7.2.4 Lacustrine fisheries

Since, the lakes are quite bigger in dimensions than reservoirs and are of natural origin, they support healthy and varied fish fauna ranging from Indian major carps and large catfishes to small sized minor carps, catfishes, clupeids, murrels etc., The lakes situated in coldwater zones of Himalayas or peninsular India support trouts (Salmo gairdnerii), snow trouts (Schizothorax niger, S. planiro and S. curvifrons), mahseers (Tor putitora and T. khudree), common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and minor carps (Labeo dero, Crossocheilus, Latius latius) as chief economically important fishes. These lakes are either stocked with the natural seed from rivers or with the seed developed after adapting cultural practices. The catches in most of the cold water lakes are dominated by C. carpio with sizable contribution to schizothoracids and mahseers in the northern lakes and Oreochromis mossambicus in the Deaccan lakes like cold water lakes in Tamil Nadu. Very little is known about the fishery potential of upland lakes. On account of their remoteness and the low water regime, drastic increase in yield and production are not expected from these water bodies. The data on fish catch statistics vary from place to place. From the capture fishery of different indigenous coldwater fisheries, the declining trend in fish catch statistics has become obvious due to changed ecological conditions and improper management. In the lakes of plains, rate of primary production is high. Until recently, development work in cold water fisheries was directed towards establishing trout fishery which is the most popular sport fish in the world. There has, however, been growing realization for developing indigenous cold water fisheries. The production from cold water fisheries is, however, not of much significance in the total inland fish production in the country.

Last modified: Wednesday, 30 November 2011, 7:01 AM