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Fish Assemblages on Artificial Fish Habitats in Estuaries: A Comparison with Natural Rocky Habitats

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Abstract

In this study, fish assemblages on deployed artificial fish habitats and natural rocky habitats were compared 1 year post-deployment in Zuari estuary, southwest coast of India employing underwater visual census. Comparisons demonstrated significant differences in fish species composition between artificial fish habitats and natural rocky habitats. Within the artificial fish habitats, the habitats located at deeper regions indicated high richness, diversity and species abundance. The rich and diverse fish assemblages on deeper artificial fish habitats might be a result of isolated location, species behavioral preferences on feeding and shelter and complexity of the habitat.

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Acknowledgements

I would hereby acknowledge the Indian Council of Agricultural Research for funding the research project. I should also express my sincere gratitude to Dr. NP Singh (Former Director, ICAR-CCARI), Dr. EB Chakurkar (Director, ICAR-CCARI), Dr. Manju Lekshmi N (Scientist (FRM)), Mr. Ajey Patil (DIVEGOA) and Shri. Sanjay Pereira (Head, Shree Shantadurga Fishermen Society, Tiswadi), and Mr. Vishwajeet P, KVK, North Goa for their whole hearted support and technical guidance during the implementation of the project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Old Goa, Goa, 403 402, India

    G. B. Sreekanth

  2. ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Cochin, Kerala, 682 029, India

    N. Manju Lekshmi

  3. DIVEGOA, SinQ Beach Club, Opp. Taj Aguada, Candolim, Goa, India

    Ajey Patil

Authors
  1. G. B. Sreekanth
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  2. N. Manju Lekshmi
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  3. Ajey Patil
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Correspondence to G. B. Sreekanth.

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Sreekanth, G.B., Manju Lekshmi, N. & Patil, A. Fish Assemblages on Artificial Fish Habitats in Estuaries: A Comparison with Natural Rocky Habitats. Natl. Acad. Sci. Lett. 43, 125–131 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40009-019-00825-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40009-019-00825-x

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