Gastropod landing, utilisation and trade in India: A case study from Kollam, India

Abstract

Gastropods used both for decorative and edible purposes are a valuable resource along the east and west coast of India and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Even though the molluscan production in India was comparatively insignificant in earlier times, it increased due to the demand for edible as well as ornamental gastropods from around the globe coupled with their importance in generating additional income as a bycatch. Shakthikulangara and Neendakara landing centres of the Kollam district of Kerala ranks among the major gastropod landing centres along the west coast of India. Based on the cost and earnings analysed from the primary data collected from Shakthikulangara and Neendakara area, various productivity ratios are analysed which indicates that the fishing for gastropods registered a shift in operations from harvesting as a by-catch resource to targeted fishing. The study reveals the scope of gastropod fishery in Kerala as well as the lack of shellcraft industry in the state. Also, the reduced availability of gastropods due to the extensive exploitation is investigated.