Bivalve fishery of Achara estuary of Sindhudurg coast, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Aquatic resources, such as shellfish and finfish, have ecological, commercial, medicinal, and social importance. For this reason, communities have been harvesting these natural resources to meet their needs. The present study focused on documenting the fishing methods used to harvest bivalve resources in the Achara estuary of Sindhudurg district. This study highlights the bivalve fishery, specifically the clam and oyster harvesting operations performed by the fishers of Achara village. The data were collected solely through several visits and interactions with the fishers of the study area. The observations reveal that two clam species, Polymesoda erosa and Hiatula diphos, as well as two oyster species, Saccostrea cucullata and Crassostrea cuttackensis, were harvested from the Achara estuary. Oyster species were harvested more dominantly than the clam species. Therefore, more income generation from the oysters than the clam species. The highest CPUE values were recorded for the oyster Saccostrea cucullata, followed by Crassostrea cuttackensis, Polymesoda erosa, and Hiatula diphos, indicating species-specific variations in catch efficiency. Both clam and oyster fishery meet the nutritional and commercial needs of the fishers. This study concludes that sustainable fishing methods can minimise ecological impacts, maintain bivalve populations, and safeguard their habitats, thereby preserving natural resources and enhancing the livelihoods of coastal communities.