Materials and Methods
Kattumavadi (Lat. 10º4’N; Long. 79º12’E) is a coastal
village in the Palk Bay region of the Pudukottai district of
Tamilnadu state. The sea in this area appears calm during most
of the months with lesser tidal influence. There are no major
river discharges expect that of a small river, Narasinga Cauvery,
which brings water only during the rainy season. Fishing
activities are carried out on a small scale using wooden dug out
canoes, rather than mechanized boats. This coast is dominated
by luxuriant growth of seagrasses, seaweeds and is devoid of
rocks, corals or any other similar substrates. Active aquaculture
is noticed all along the Kattumavadi coast, discharging effluents
directly in to the sea in many areas.