01-05 December 2025
INCOIS, Hyderabad, India.
| Abstract Submission No. | ABS-09-0305 |
| Title of Abstract | Assessing the progress in understanding the spawning habitat of fishes in the Indian waters |
| Authors | Kusum Komal Karati*, Sonal R Kalbande, Ajit Antony |
| Organisation | Centre For Marine Living Resources And Ecology |
| Address | Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology Kochi, Kerala, India Pincode: 682508 E-mail: kusum.kk1@gmail.com |
| Country | India |
| Presentation | Oral |
| Abstract | Marine fish spawning plays a critical role in population replenishment, and thus information on this aspect helps to underpin sustainable fishery management. Despite substantial progress in fisheries science in Indian waters, detailed knowledge of species-specific spawning grounds and periods remains limited. To address this gap, the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE), Kochi, undertook a comprehensive spatiotemporal study of spawning habitats in the eastern Arabian Sea and western Bay of Bengal under the Fisheries Resource and Habitat Assessment Programme. Along with the net sampling, the use of continuous underway fish egg sampler aboard FORV Sagar Sampada, helped in high-resolution quantification of ichthyoplankton abundance and distribution. The resulting data produced seasonal maps of spawning zones and identified peak spawning periods of individual species. Spawning was observed year-round, with intensity peaks associated with the summer or winter monsoon seasons. The integrated oceanographic and biological data encompassing studies linking spawning biology with oceanographic parameters across seasons and regions have helped to identify the preferred spawning habitat of different species of fishes. This study delineates preferred spawning habitats across seasons and regions, thereby advancing our ecological understanding and providing a spatial framework to guide fishery management. Future research should expand on this foundation by incorporating climate-driven phenological shifts, pollution impacts on spawning success, and geneâ¿¿environment interactions influencing reproductive dynamics. |
| Are you part of IIOE-2 endorsed project | no |
| Keywords | Spawning habitat; Marine fish; |
| For Awards | no |