Abstract
The present study was carried out to analyze the possibility of practicing aquaculture in selected mangrove regions in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. A detailed study on the possibility of undertaking aquaculture has been carried out in Sarasaalai and Kapputhu mangrove regions. The water quality parameters were measured, organic matter was estimated and available fish species were collected and identified during the study period. Samples were collected in the second week of each month from June 2016 to November 2016. Water quality parameters such as water temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, water depth and turbidity were measured. Organic matter was estimated for soil samples collected from the study areas. Water quality parameters were analyzed by two sample t-test using minitab13. Identification of all collected fish species were confirmed according to the standard literature by observing their morphological and meristic characters. Statistical analysis shows no significant difference between Sarasaalai and Kapputhu in water temperature (P = 0.062), salinity (P = 0.402), dissolved oxygen (P = 0.773), pH (P = 0.262) and water depth (P = 0.798). Significant difference (P = 0.001) was observed for turbidity in both locations. High percentage of organic matter was observed in Sarasaalai. The identified fish species in both locations were Chanos chanos, Platycephalus fuscus, Oreochromis mossambicus, Nematalosa nasus, Hyporhamphus limbatus, Hemiramphus marginatus, Etroplus maculatus, Gerres abbreviatus and Gerres oyena. The most abundant species found in Sarasaalai was O. mossambicus and in Kapputhu were O. mossambicus, C. chanos, G. abbreviatus and G. oyena. The present investigation inferred that the specified species can be cultured in the said regions. However, a long term study on seed resources, environmental and climatic conditions of particular site would ensure more details on culture aspects of these species.
Highlights
Fisheries in Sri Lanka contributes about 1.3% to the GDP (CBSL, 2016), with fish and fishery products providing about 70% of the animal protein consumed in the country
High percentage of organic matter was observed in Sarasaalai mangroves (Figure 2) throughout the study period, which might be due to periodic re-suspension of sediments
Water temperature, DO, salinity, pH and water depth are the most important water quality parameters which influence on the biodiversity of the particular ecosystem
Summary
Fisheries in Sri Lanka contributes about 1.3% to the GDP (CBSL, 2016), with fish and fishery products providing about 70% of the animal protein consumed in the country. Aquaculture is still in its infant stage and is limited to coastal shrimp culture and the production of fish seed for stocking; farming of food fish in seasonal tanks and ornamental fish for export are other coastal activities. Mangroves are intertidal forested wetlands confined to the tropical and subtropical regions. In Sri Lanka, mangrove forests are found scattered mainly along the north-western, north-eastern and eastern coasts bordering lagoons and riverine estuaries. In the present study two locations were chosen because there are intense mangroves in those regions and no studies were performed, yet. The present study was carried out to analyze the possibility of undertaking aquaculture practice in those selected mangroveregions in Jaffna, Sri Lanka
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