Trap fishing in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay

Abstract

Trap fishing is one of the indigenous methods of fishing prevalent in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay. Fish traps, locally known as 'koodu' are extensively used in this area for perch fishery. As these areas are shallow, with rocks and corals, other methods of fishing using nets cannot be operated successfully, which probably explains the development of trap fishing in this part of the country as an organised fishery.