Unregulated aquaculture and invasive alien species: a case study of the African Catfish Clarias gariepinus in Vembanad Lake (Ramsar Wetland), Kerala, India

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Published: May 26, 2011
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.o2378.1737-44

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K. Krishnakumar
A. Ali
B. Pereira
R. Raghavan

Abstract

Indiscriminate and illegal farming of the African Catfish Clarias gariepinus, in central Kerala has now resulted in the escape and spread of the species into Vembanad Lake, a large brackish water wetland and inland fish diversity hotspot. We collected 17 individuals of C. gariepinus ranging in size from 200 to 750 mm from different locations in the southern sector of the lake during a field survey conducted in 2007. Samples comprised of mature specimens of both sexes indicating their reproductive potential in the study area. The possible impacts of spread of C. gariepinus into natural water bodies of Kerala, especially the Vembanad Lake, and options for their management are discussed.

Article Details

Issue
Vol. 3 No. 5 (2011)
Section
Communications

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Author Biographies

K. Krishnakumar

K. Krishnakumar is a Programme Officer with the Community Environment Resource Center (CERC) of the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE), Alleppey, Kerala, India. His interest is in understanding biological invasions in freshwater systems of Kerala.

A. Ali

Anvar Ali is a Senior Fellow at the Conservation Research Group, St. Albert’s College, Kochi, Kerala, India interested in freshwater fish taxonomy.

B. Pereira

Benno Pereira is a Senior Fellow and Director of the Conservation Research Group, St. Albert’s College, Kochi, India. His research interests are in biology and captive breeding of endemic freshwater fishes.

R. Raghavan

Rajeev Raghavan is a Senior Fellow and Associate Director of the Conservation Research Group, St. Albert’s College, Kochi, India. His interest is in conservation biology with special reference to freshwater fishes of Western Ghats.

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