Benthos of the Shelf Region along the West Coast of India

Abstract

Distribution and abundance of benthos in the depth range of 10-70 m were studied. A definite relationship was observed between benthic biomass, organic carbon, nature of substrata and demersal fish catch. Benthic biomass varied from 0.12 to 190.5 g/m2 (mean 11.5 g/m2). Polychaetes formed the dominant group followed by crustaceans, molluscs, sipunculids and echinoderms. The fauna was rich in the nearshore region and decreased towards deeper waters. Quantitative distribution of benthic fauna showed a direct relationship to the exploited demersal fisheries, especially the shrimps