Some observations on the fisheries of Lakshadweep

Lakshadweep group of islands is constituted by 36 small islands, islets and submerged banks (reefs) lying scattered in the Arabian Sea between Lat. 8° and 12° 30'N. and Long. 71" and 74° E. This Union Territory has an area of 32 sq.km. and possesses 400,000 sq. km. of Exclusive Economic Zone. Of these, only ten islands are inhabited. Each island except Androth has a lagoon on the western side, and the lagoon and the reef provide ideal coral habitat for a variety of animals and plants. Water areas around these islands and submerged reefs which possess rich fishery resources are Agatti, Bangaram, Tinnakara, Parali, Perumul Par, Pitti, Suheli, Bitra Cheriyapaniam, Baliyapaniam, Kadmat, Kavaratte, Androth, Kiltan, Kalpeni, Etikalpeni and Minicoy. Of these, Minicoy, Agatti, Suheli and Bitra ai& important with regard to tuna pole and line fishery