Research
Photo: Deepak Apte
Giant Clams and Coral
An unprecedented volume of data on giant clams and corals was collected during the three-year project. Project staff and volunteers surveyed 21 islands (the original plan was for 8) and laid down 165 permanent transects. Contact Deepak for details.
Photo: Idrees Babu K.K.
Covering more islands helped the team better understand factors influencing population dynamics, distribution pattern, resilience and ultimately the conservation of giant clams.
Bait Fish
Photo: Jafer Hisham
Islanders are more dependent on the tiny live bait (see left) than any other lagoon fish because live bait are used for pole-and-line tuna fishing, the mainstay of Lakshadweep's economy. Live bait stocks, however, are becoming over-harvested with the increasing demand for tuna fishing. Skipjack is the most common tuna catch in Lakshadweep (see below).
Photo: Andrea Deri
Our project has started a study on live bait harvesting patterns to better understand the socio-ecological dynamics of live bait stock changes. See also Live Bait Photo Gallery.