Ecobiology and Fisheries of an Economically Important Estuarine Fish, Sillago sihama (Forsskal)

Abstract

Goa with about 105 km long coastline has vast resources of marine shellfish and finfish. Fish is a protein rich food and for the state of Goa it assumes special significance as it forms one of the chief components in the diet of about 90% of the population (Ansari, 2004). S. sihama is a highly esteemed fish, due to which it commands high price in the local market. It forms a minor but important fishery from both marine and inland waters in Goa. In view of its importance in the fishery and absence of any published information on its eco-biology and fisheries from Goa coast, the present study was undertaken for a period of sixteen months from January 2004 to April 2005.