Relationship between mangrove forest and fish and prawn productivity

Abstract

This study aims to clarify influence of mangrove coverage on fish and prawn productivity. Four estuaries in mangrove forests under different exploited stages were selected as research sites in west coast of Peninsular Malaysia: Selinsing and Sangga Rivers in Matang, Merbok River in Kedah, and Dinding River in Lumut. The ratios of the mangrove forest area to river area were 4.7 in Matang, 3.2 in Merbok and 1.0 in Lumut. Different values of water parameters suggest that the brackish water zone was most distinct in the Selinsing, followed by Sangga, Merbok and Dinding. Differences of catch composition in terms of fish species and abundance among the four brackish water mangrove ecosystems may be strongly affected by differences in water parameters, especially influenced by the seawater with higher salinity and lower turbidity.