Incessant exploitation of fish resources including ornamental fishes is rampant in the water bodies world over and India is no exception. Fisheries management activities have to be taken up on war footing to manage the depleting indigenous ornamental fisheries resources. The study made an attempt to examine the ornamental fisheries management activities in Kerala state in India. In the country, management of fisheries come under the purview of the fisheries department under state governments. With an objective of fish resource management, the state fisheries in Kerala has formed an organisation namely FIRMA (Fish Resource Management Authority). It is now involved in collaborative activities with domestic and foreign research and development agencies to derive statistics required for planning and evaluation. Kerala biodiversity board is yet another organisation looking into sustainable utilisation of natural resources and promoting the dispersal of acquisitions to the beneficiaries in Kerala.
The paper discuss the matter with reference to one particular river in Kerala namely, Chalakkudy river from where indigenous ornamental fish collection is on an increase. The study focus on the upstream areas of Chalakkudy river where the tribes mainly inhabit. Management of all natural resources in the area is under Tribal Development Board and Forest Division. For this study, 3 tribal settlements (Pillapara, Vazhachal and Pokalappara) which wings in Vazhachal Forest Division are selected. Various exploitations occurring in the river and the respective regulations practised are noted from the response of 63 tribal fishers by direct interview. Overfishing, sand mining, explosive fishing and pollution are the common issues in the river.
The study noted that the resources in the study area are managed by following the forest regulations such as restrictions on the movement of natural resources including fish from tribal area to outside, obtaining prior consent from Tribal Development Officer and forest officials for performing the activities, clearance pass from range office to transport resources, strict patrolling by the forest officials to ensure the activities are in place, prohibition for sand mining and imposing fine or even imprisonment for violation of regulations. The penalty depends on the severity of the offence performed. At present there are no records or log book maintained exclusively on fisheries related activities. Information on ornamental fish buyers visiting tribal settlements to obtain the resources is also lacking. Initiatives are required to keep official records on exercise of tribes in ornamental fisheries for effective management.
Keywords: Ornamental Fisheries, Tribes, Exploitations, Management