Diversity, Utilisation and Conservation of Fishmeal Resources along the Bakkhali–Fraserganj Coast, West Bengal, India
Sobhana Palit (Paul) *
Department of Zoology, Sree Chaitanya College, Habra, West Bengal, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The composition of the fish meal fishery resources along the Bakkhali -Fraserganj coast of West Bengal, India has been represented in the study. Besides the highly priced food fishes, some low valued fishes including some prawns, crabs, squids etc. are sun dried to be used as fish meal for cattle and poultry feed purposes and also for manure. A small portion of fishmeal from the by-catch of other fisheries are also used for human consumption. Fishmeal is generally manufactured from wild-caught, small marine fishes, prawns and crabs. The present study was carried out twice a year for almost 3 consecutive years (February, 2022 to December,2024). Different fish samples were collected from the fishermen during early morning hours (5 am to 8am). Questionnaire and interview were done with the people of the khutis connected with fish drying. At least hundred khutis were visited each year for interviewing. Items used for the fish meal purpose included 36 fishes, 7 prawns, 7 crabs, 3 stomatopods and 3 cephalopod species. Among the finfishes, the species Harpodon nehereus under the order Aulopiformes was the most common one and the major contributor population. In the study area, the local inhabitants are entirely dependent on the natural resources for their livelihood. The present paper aims in studying the diversity of fish meal resources, to understand various anthropogenic pressure on the system and to highlight the management options for ecosystem sustainability.
Keywords: Fish meal, marine fishes, prawns, crabs