06-bioresourcesstatu.. - M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation

place in the lagoons. The Pitti Island' and
numerous other sandbanks
~
provide a safe haven
.
for water birds such as the sooty and Noddy terns.
Option value: The value of knowing that the
resource is available should one decide to use it at
some time in the future. The site is a rich source
of coral and its associated species diversity. Very
little quantitative information exists on the species
available. An important economic use of coral reef
organisms is for the extraction of bioactive
substances and compounds useful for industries.
Recent reports suggest that coral skeleton can be
used for ortho-surgery (Rodrigues,1996). This
potential has not been utilized so far.
Existence value: Is the value of knowing that the
reefs exist in a certain condition. Coral reefs are
known to host many levels of biodiversity ranging
from planktonic organisms to sharks. They provide
nursery grounds for many fishes and are a habitat
for rare species. Even though there is a great
diversity of organisms on the reef, there are not
large populations of anyone kind and target
species are vulnerable to over fishing.
Bequest Value: the value' of knowing that the
resource will be available for future generations.
80.% of the 10.0. students surveyed at Agatti in
January 20.0.2, felt that it was essential to conserve
coral reef habitat for the future generation.
V. Bio Resource Profile
Natural resource management on the islands
revolves around the management of flora and
fauna as well as freshwater management. The Bioresource
profile of Lakshadweep will include both
the wild and domesticated flora and fauna found
on the land, Lagoon, Reefs and Oceans. The
people utilize resources from each of these natural
ecosystems to sustain themselves. The reefs
provide basic construction material for building
houses and the coconut trees provide wood .for
frames and thatching for roofs.
i. Economy based on Wild Resources
a. Fisheries
Fisheries comprise subsistence fishing in lagoon
using a variety of traditiunal methods and deepsea
fishing. The Lakshadweep seas are rich in
tuna, shark, rays, sea cucumbers and ornamental
coral fish. Fishing is the main stay of their
Lakshadweep Islands
Figure 7 • Percentage of Total Catch. 1999
others
11%
comex
1%
purches
2%
Tuna
83%
Rainbow
runner
SoB
0%
1%
Seer
1%
Shark
economy. Mechanised Pablo boats, subsidized by
the government enable fishermen to venture out
further and increase their fish catch. Estimation of
the sustainable resources on a scientific basis has
not yet been done. However it has been estimated
on the basis of the number of tuna shoals and on
the results of the experimental long line fishing
that Lakshadweep waters support a fishable stock
of 50.,0.0.0. tonnes of deep swimming tuna and allied
species. 50.,0.0.0. tonnes of surface swimming
s,~ipjack and 10.0.,0.0.0. tonnes of shark. (Dept of
fisheries, 1990.). The present exploitation is only
around 15,0.0.0. tonnes per annum (Figure 7). The
islands being oceanic, tuna is, the most
predominant fish, contributing to more than 80.% of
the landings.
Training in Pole and line fishing methods from
Minicoy has helped the fishermen from the other
Figure 8. Quantity and Valua of Fish Landing
15000.
10000
5000.
in Lakshadweep
0..
1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998
10quantity (tonnes) • value (Rs in Lakhs) I
4. Pitti Island is the noddy terns only breeding ground in Indian territory (Pitti Island Lakshadweep: An ornithological Study. Madras
Naturalists Society, 1991)
113