Qualitative Study of Fisheries Species Diversity

Ulhas River Estuary and Thane creek are two adjacent brackish water bodies lying in the vicinity of Thane 
City. These are highly impacted by various anthropogenic activities mainly due to urban, industrial, and reclamation activities. Artisanal fisheries from these water bodies have been under threat for decades. The qualitative fisheries diversity study revealed that the water body has declined further in fisheries catches. Nevertheless, a total of 31 fisheries species were observed in the study. Some species viz. Mystus gulio, Oreochromis mossambicus, and bivalves which were previously reported to be abundant were found to be dwindling in the present scenario. However, species like mullets, crabs, Acetes indicus, shrimps sciaenids, and
clupeiformes were abundant in the present study Moreover the marketing and dealing have no proper facilities. The perennial estuarine fish species were high in landings followed by estuarine seasonal species. The marine migratory fish dominated the landing as compared to the riverine migratory species.