Underwater ecological observations in the gulf of Mannar, off Tuticorin-III

Abstract

During the dives made on rocky beds, several hundreds of small and large fishes were noticed inhabiting the rocky area lying between 8'35'N.-8'55'N. Lat. to 78O 10'E.-78'25'E. Long. up to 26 metres depth. Surprisingly, with the sole exception of an occasional Lutjanus sebae (Cuvier) not one species of Lutjanus of commercial importance was seen anywhere in the area explored. The deeper rocky areas (bet- ween 40-60 metres depth) seem to be rich in lutjanids as evidenced by the catches landed by local fishermen by hook and line.